After conquering the world's biggest bike race for a second time Chris Froome is enjoying being the Tour de France champion once again.
The Brit departed Paris as a double Tour winner on Monday morning as he flew back to the United Kingdom with his Team Sky team-mates for a visit to Sky's UK HQ in Osterley.
For the 30 year old the achievement of clinching another yellow jersey was still sinking in, along with the novelty of not having to do battle on the bike for the first time in three weeks.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the two-time Tour winner admitted: "The last 48 hours just feels like it's been a bit of a blur. Getting into Paris is something we've been focused on for so long. This morning we woke up and I said 'what are we going to do this morning?' 'We're there now'. It's just such an amazing feeling.
"It’s not only just the Tour, it’s the whole build-up to it. We spend months and months just doing every little thing right and getting every little detail right to try to get to the Tour in the best shape possible.
"It’s going to be great now just to switch off for a few days. I just had a bacon butty this morning and it felt fantastic just to have something I haven’t had in many months."
Froome is now set for some hard-earned rest as the team look to decide on the race programme for the rest of the season. Off the back of a second place in 2014, the Vuelta a Espana could be a potential option this Autumn.
"I would say it’s a bit early to say 100 per cent but I think that could potentially be on the cards, certainly," he added.
"I know it would be a massive challenge to back it up with another grand tour now, especially to go there with the aim of going for the general classification again.
"But yeah, that’s at the back of the mind and maybe that could be on the cards."
Team Principal Dave Brailsford was again quick to highlight the teamwork and selfless dedication which ultimately led to victory.
On a special group of riders he added: "From a group dynamic and a team point of view it's the best team I've ever worked with. And I've worked with some good teams over the years. But the communication among the guys, the honesty and the way they committed to one another was incredible.
"Chris couldn't win the biggest bike race in the world without a fantastic team behind him. When you've got a group of world-class guys who are willing to sacrifice everything they've got, every single day to help Chris win. And that's what they did, they pulled together and it was an amazing thing to watch."
Geraint Thomas played a key part in that group, supporting Froome not only in the high mountains, but through a rough and tumble opening week where key time was gained.
On racing as part of a team the Welshman explained: "It is a unique bond. For myself, I grew up racing with Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard, Pete Kennaugh and Froomey, for years now.
"We are just genuinely good mates. When you get that group together, off the bike, it’s certainly brings you together. It’s like – and I don’t want to say ‘going to war’, because it’s not war is it? – but it’s that camaraderie.
"When it’s that big stage, we know how important it is, everyone is up for it. It’s just a real good team environment."
Away from bike racing, Thomas's attention now turns to the small matter of his stag do, with plenty of cause for celebration.
“It’s crazy that it’s all over. It’s like ‘what do we do?’ I’m off on my stag do tomorrow. Starting in Cardiff, and then we go to Berlin. I’m not in good shape drinking-wise."
28.04 - 05.05: Vuelta España Femenina |
30.04 - 05.05: Tour du Bénin |
01.05 - 05.05: Ronde de l'Isard |
01.05 - 05.05: Vuelta Bantrab |
02.05 - 05.05: Course de la Paix Juniors |
02.05 - 05.05: GP Beiras e Serra da Estrela |
04.05 - 05.05: Tour du Gévaudan Occitanie |
05.05: Ringerike GP |
05.05: GP Bob Jungels |
05.05: Tro-Bro Léon |
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