Froome anxious to begin Tour defence on Yorkshire streets
TOUR de France champion Chris Froome admits he will be feeling the pressure when he begins the defence of his crown in England.
The route for the 2014 race was finalised yesterday and includes two stages in Yorkshire, plus one from Cambridge to London where a sprint finish at The Mall is expected.
The Tour also includes five mountain finishes and a time-trial on the 20th and penultimate stage.
And Froome admits to some trepidation about racing in front of a home crowd.
“I was bowled over at the support we had in France so I can only imagine what it is going to be like over in Yorkshire,” he said.
“It is going to be massive. It certainly gives a little bit of added pressure too I’m sure.”
The 101st edition of the Tour begins on 5 July and concludes with a traditional circuit round the Champs-Elysees in Paris on 27 July.