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TDF Twitter Q&A with Chris Froome

Sunday 6 July 2014 09:04, UK

Thanks for the hundreds of questions that were sent sent. We hope you enjoy the answers.

Chris takes time answer your questions!

Chris Froome is one of the busiest men in Britain right now but took time out from his Tour de France preparations on Friday to allow fans to Tweet their questions into him, and these are his replies: Chris Froome: I really enjoy being in the water as it gives me the same feelings that cycling does – a sense of openness in the outdoors - so it’d have to be something watersports-related. CF: That’s’ a tough one, although I’d have to say fridge cake. If you haven’t heard of it, google it, but basically it’s got dates and nuts and biscuits in it. CF: No, I don’t count down before an attack, it’s more about trying to feel the flow of the race, assessing how your opponents are looking, and knowing what’s ahead of you on the road. CF: When we were doing to recon back in May, Haworth really stood out for me. The steep road leading up to the cobbles was a surprise, and then all the Union Jack bunting they had on the high street was really, really cool. CF: The cobbles will probably suit me more than the GC contenders on the basis that I’m bigger and heavier than most of the pure climbers. Everyone’s nervous about what’s going to happen but it’s a stage I’m looking forward to. CF: A bit of both. It’s a fearful stage for everyone but as I mentioned, I’m certainly no worse off than the other GC guys. CF: When things that are outside of your control go wrong. CF: That’s one of the main reasons I ride a bike, I’m not good at ball sports (laughs). CF: Getting married! CF: Good question. It’s a bit of both. It’s probably more daunting but given the home support it makes it easier and more exciting. CF: It felt amazing and I hope it can inspire a lot of youngsters follow their dreams. CF: How loud can you shout (laughs). CF: Yes, definitely, it’s an amazing bike. CF: I’m most looking forward to the time trial on stage 20. That should be a good one for me and one where I can put time into some of my main rivals. CF: By reminding myself that the pain is only temporary. CF: Probably stage 18 which features the Col du Tourmalet and Hautacam. That’s going to be a real tester. CF: It’s got to be Alberto Contador. He’s having a tremendous season. CF: I normally eat around 4-5 pieces of rice cake and 4-5 gels. With bidons. Anything from 4-18 I guess. CF: The Pyrenees are more challenging but the Alps are more scenic. CF: It’s all about the end goal, yes. CF: Machines CF: Spearfishing in the ocean. I love that. CF: We try to spend as much time as possible off our feet/legs, and a good massage from our carers usually does the trick CF: The caffeine in the coffee always gives me a nice pick-me-up but I prefer the taste of, and drink a lot more tea. CF: A rider back in Kenya called David Kinjah who was my very first coach. CF: I haven't set any just yet, I’ll get the Tour out of the way first before I look any further down the line. CF: Anywhere between 4000-5000. CF: I’m looking forward to riding the Planche de Belles Filles again on stage 10. That climb holds a lot of happy memories for me because it was there that I won my first Tour de France stage back in 2012. There are no climbs I’m particularly dreading. CF: Yes, absolutely, when time allows it. I always plan to go on big mountain bike trips but I seldom get the chance. A for other bikes, I’ve got a Pinarello city bike which I use to go shopping on and ride around town in Monaco. CF: I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t (smiles). CF: I may have dreamt about it but I never for a second thought it was realistic. CF: Stage two is definitely somewhere where the GC contenders will have to be on their toes, especially on the last kick up Jenkin Road. There’s sections up to 30% on there so it’s one to be ready for. CF: I started off by doing cross country running but I couldn’t keep up with the Kenyans so I had to ride my bike. CF: Simon Yates has done an amazing job to get a Tour de France ride in his neo pro season and it’ll be really interesting to see how he goes in his first Grand Tour. CF: I’d say I’m in very similar condition to where I was this time last year. CF: Nougat, definitely. Cranberry and almond is my favourite flavor. CF: That’s not so much (smiles). On a normal day of training we aim for 3000 metres of climbing, let alone feet. CF: We’re pretty sheltered from it all, unfortunately. It would be nice to be part of but we’ve got more pressing concerns. We get an idea of it though when we ride and travel through the towns. Sometimes it’d be nice to stop but unfortunately it’s not an option. Hopefully though, we can join in the celebrations in Paris in three weeks’ time. CF: It depends how long the transfer to the start is, but generally about four hours before. I always eat porridge and an omelette for breakfast. CF: Aw, thanks a lot, bless you!

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