Playing like some will-they-won’t-they sitcom plot, Team Sky have now conformed that Chris Froome will lead out at the Tour de France, rather than defending champion Bradley Wiggins. For some time confusion has reigned as Wiggins was first thought to be concentrating purely on the Giro d’Italia but then announced his intention to go for the double, prompting Froome to take the unusual step of issuing a personal statement expressing his surprise and saying that he understood he had full management backing; he continued, ‘There has been much speculation regarding the leadership for Team Sky at the Tour de France this year. I have made it clear that winning the Tour would be my main objective for 2013…’
Initially Team Sky Principal, Sir David Brailsford, maintained that a final decision was unlikely to be made until just days before the start of the Tour de France, saying ‘I think whoever is in the best shape should be (leader) really.’ Now, however, he has committed, saying ‘Given Chris’s step-up in performances this year, our plan, as it has been since January, is to have him lead the Tour de France team.’
Certainly Froome has performed admirably so far in 2013, winning the Tour of Oman, Criterium International and Tour de Romandie, whilst Wiggins has seemingly saved his legs for the Giro. But what if Wiggins wins the Giro? Does that buy him the right to defend the TdF title and go for the goal of winning both grand tours in a single season? However things shape up in the coming weeks they are certainly looking messy for Sky at the moment.
