Chris Froome reveals Tour de France ambitions and identifies Richie Porte as a major rival

CHRIS Froome has ambitions to be the most successful Tour de France rider of cycling’s “new era’’ and has identified Aussie rider Richie Porte as a rival for the 2017 title.

Great Britain's Christopher Froome (C), wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides among his teammates during the 162,5 km eleventh stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 13, 2016 between Carcassonne and Montpellier. / AFP PHOTO / KENZO TRIBOUILLARD

CHRIS Froome has ambitions to be the most successful Tour de France rider of cycling’s “new era’’ and has identified Aussie rider Richie Porte as a rival who could potentially thwart his quest for a fourth Tour de France crown in 2017.

Froome, one of only eight men to have won three Tour de France’s, also believes cycling is the “cleanest’’ it has been in decades, adamant he could not have won even one of his titles if his sport was dominated by drug cheats.

“I really don’t think it would be possible to win a Tour de France clean if there were still cheats as there were in the past,’’ Froome said.

Chris Froome hits the mountains during this year’s Tour de France.

“The sport has turned itself around.’’

In a frank interview with The Daily Telegraph, the cycling star confirmed he will kick off his racing year in Australia in 2017 in the Tour Down Under, Herald Sun Tour or Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race.

“I’m not sure which yet. One of them, maybe two,’’ he said.

Froome also marked good mate Porte, fourth in the Tour de France in 2016, as our best chance of an Australian victory.

“I really don't think Richie is far off,’’ said Froome of the Tasmanian rider who played a major support role in his 2013 and 2015 Tour wins when also riding at Team Sky.

“He was fourth this year and probably would have done a little better without his bad luck.

“He will be one of the ones I will be looking out for. He’ll be the one giving me a tough time.’’

The Kenyan-born British bike rider is holidaying in Queensland ahead of riding L’Etape Australia by Le Tour de France in the NSW Snowy Mountains on December 3.

With drug cheat Lance Armstrong’s seven victories struck from the record books, Froome admits matching, if not surpassing, the record for the most Tour de France victories is on his radar.

Four men have won the race on five occasions in Jacques Anquetil (1957, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964), Eddy Merckx (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974), Bernard Hinault (1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1985) and Miguel Indurain (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995).

Chris Froome with son Kellan.

“I’m 31. For at least the next four to five years I will be serious about getting to the start line in the best shape and with the objective of winning the race as my goal,’’ he said.

“Of course, anything can happen.

“For myself I would like to be on the start line for another four to five years.

“It (the record) is not necessarily what is driving me. To put a number on it.

“But I am ambitious. I always want to do my best.

“It hasn’t been done before; it would be something really remarkable to go after.

“But saying that, I know how difficult it would be.’’

Froome has praised his sport for its ongoing fight against drugs, maintaining cycling polices its charges more than any other sport.

“I think it is by far the most policed sport in the world and credit to them for that,’’ he said.

“It is annoying being woken up at ungodly hours (for testing) but if it means we are competing on a level playing field then I’m all for it.’’

Chris Froome celebrates winning another Tour de France title.

While adamant he rides clean, Froome has had doping allegations levelled against him, something he says no longer upsets him.

“No, I have learned to grow a thick skin,’’ he said.

“It comes with the territory.

“I sleep well at night. I know I am doing nothing untowards.

“People need to keep in mind the way our sport is policed. How our samples are kept and frozen and will be retested. I know my samples are clean.

“I understand where the speculations comes from and I only think it is right questions are asked in a sport that has let fans and people down in the past.’’

Froome believes fans who turned their back on the sport in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal and a string of drug dramas, are now returning.

“I get countless messages and emails saying they didn't watch the sport but are now getting back into it,’’ he said. “It’s great to be inspiring people like that.’’

Froome has been appointed L’Étape Australia’s Pro Mentor and will be holding a series of clinics before L’Étape Australia gets underway on December 3.

Top register go to www.letapeaustralia.com.