The Critérium du Dauphiné: Froome's Dominance

Even before winning the Critérium du Dauphiné, Christopher Froome was one of the favourites to win the Tour de France. His dominant display in the Dauphiné has simply confirmed his position as being a real contender for the yellow jersey. In 2012, it was Bradley Wiggins' year, as it was he who won race after race, but this year it is Froome who has come away with equally, if not more, impressive victories in the Tour of Oman, the  Critérium International, the Tour de Romandie and the Dauphiné, with a hard-fought second place secured in the Tirreno-Adriatico. When Wiggo dominated in 2012, the question of whether he had peaked too soon continued to be asked, but Froome has not had to answer this. Clearly, Wiggo proved that it is possible to maintain form for a significant period of time.

Unfortunately, this always leads more cynical cycling fans to question whether it is doping that is responsible for such dominance. Of course, Team Sky are such a force to be reckoned with and have, within a relatively short space of time, come on to the scene and made their presence felt. They have employed different coaches, different strategies and tactics. Sometimes, these have paid off; other times they have not, as can be seen by their poor showing in the Spring Classics. It is also clear that Team Sky have a wealth of talent and riders who are working as domestiques when they could be the protected leader if they were riding for another team. They work at the front and set the pace, shelling those at the back. It is this tactic that helped secure Wiggo the yellow jersey, but Froome is a very different kind of rider.

Froome has repeatedly shown that it is not just a matter of hanging in there on the climbs- he is more than prepared to attack and it is for others to try to stay on his wheel. It seems that Richie Porte is his right-hand man and they are, indeed, best friends off the bike. Froome was prepared to work for Porte on the final stage of the Dauphiné in attempt to get him the stage win, but even Porte was struggling to stay on Froome's wheel. Ultimately, neither rider from Team Sky would get the stage honours, but it is evident that Froome is confident enough in his own abilities and has a great deal of faith in his team members. Whatever the circumstances surrounding Wiggo's decision not to participate in the Tour de France, it surely can only be good for the team and for Chris Froome, as there is no doubt who will be leading the team.