Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas’ Tour de France truce won’t last, former teammate claims

FORMER Team Sky rider Mikel Landa says the harmony between Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas won’t last, with “ego and ambition” certain to divide the teammates in the final week.

FORMER Team Sky rider Mikel Landa says the harmony between Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas won’t last, with “ego and ambition” certain to divide the teammates in the final week.

Yellow jersey Thomas’ 1min39sec lead over second-placed Froome after 15 stages has been one of the shocks of the race, but both have scoffed at suggestions infighting is inevitable.

However, Landa, who spent two years with the British squad before moving to Movistar this season, said there was too much on the line.

“Until now, it has been pretty calm between Thomas and Froome, but it is clear that both of them have a lot of ambition,” Landa said.

The friendliness between Chris Froome (left) and Geraint Thomas (right) won’t last, a former teammate has claimed. Picture: AP

FIGHTING WORDS: Insane call as Froome fan furore heats up

RIDING ON: Aussie cycling team bags star British signings

“For Thomas, something big could be achieved, a dream of his and many other cyclists, that is, to win the Tour. Meanwhile, for Froome, it would be to win his fifth and to enter history. Sooner or later the ego and ambition of each of them will show.”

Froome is hunting a fifth Tour crown in six years and would only become the eighth rider in history to win the Giro d’Italia and Tour in the same season.

For many, it’s hard to imagine Froome sacrificing his chances to help Thomas in the Pyrenees and when he inevitably attacks, will it be to Thomas’ detriment?

“As long as there’s a Team Sky rider on the top step of that podium in Paris, I’m happy,” Froome said on Monday.

Spain's Mikel Landa spent two years in the Sky squad and has offered his insight into the Froome-Thomas relationship. Picture: AFP

“We’re in this amazing position, we’re first and second on the classification, it’s not up to us to be attacking. It’s for all other riders in the peloton to make up time on us and dislodge us from the position we’re in.”

Thomas stuck to the rigid “day by day” spiel, arguing against the notion that anything other than winning the race at this point would be a disappointment.

“Winning is still nothing I really think about, I’m just thinking day by day,” Thomas said.

“Coming here the dream was to be in with a shout of getting the podium. It’s still on the cards, which is good, but I’m just trying to keep the same mindset as I have done from the start.”

Originally published as Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas’ Tour de France truce won’t last, former teammate claims