Team Sky’s team principal Sir Dave Brailsford believes Chris Froome’s chances of winning a third Tour de France title next year have been made more difficult given “the French attitude” towards him in this year’s race.
Froome, who won his second title in July after holding off the challenge of Nairo Quintana, was heavily scrutinised by French media and public during the race, even having urine thrown in his face by one spectator.
The route for the 2016 race was unveiled this week, with Froome tipped to repeat his success given its similarities to 2013 and 2015. However, Brailsford admitted that the negativity shown towards Team Sky could make it more difficult to claim victory again.
“We’re all about performing in the right way, and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” Brailsford said.
“People will make their own judgments; we said enough about it this year. I think it’s harder for Chris to win the Tour than the others – the other guys don’t get the same abuse that he takes, so for Chris to come back and have the appetite to try to win the Tour de France with the French attitude, that makes it harder for him to win it.”
