Sunday 22 February 2015 23:42, UK
Chris Froome described Team Sky’s wins at the Ruta del Sol and Volta ao Algarve as a “huge morale boost” to everyone at the British squad.
Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford heralded a new five-year chapter for Team Sky at the start of the season, setting an immediate aim of winning more regularly in 2015 and the ultimate goal of being the best cycling team in the world by 2020.
His riders answered the rallying call in stunning style this week, with Froome winning the Ruta del Sol in Spain and Geraint Thomas claiming victory at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal, where Richie Porte also took a stage win.
Froome believes the performances have laid the perfect platform for the rest of the year.
He told teamsky.com: “This week has been a huge morale boost for everyone in the team, not just here, but in the Algarve as well.
“Richie winning yesterday and Geraint taking the GC has given us all a great buzz. We are doing really well and hopefully we can build on that heading into this next phase of racing.”
Froome took the lead of the Ruta del Sol with a solo win on Saturday’s fourth stage and then defended a slender two-second advantage over arch-rival Alberto Contador on Sunday’s fifth and final stage.
The last day ended with an uphill sprint in which Froome finished sixth, but he admitted it was far from straightforward.
“It wasn’t as easy as I had imagined and the racing was full on today,” he added. “It was windy, but I’m really happy with how the guys performed out there – they supported me all the way through and I’m delighted to get this win for them.
“It couldn’t have gone any better for us out here, and this win’s special as it’s my first race of the season. That said, I still have a lot to build on as we head towards the Tour de France. I want to stay on this path, staying healthy and injury-free, and gradually building my form.”
