01 July,2017 01:16 PM IST | Dusseldorf | Agencies
Tour de France favourites Chris Froome and Richie Porte believe this year's race will keep fans enthralled right to the end
Chris Froome
Tour de France favourites Chris Froome and Richie Porte believe this year's race will keep fans enthralled right to the end.
With a limited number of high mountain summit finishes and only 36.5km of time-trialling, Australian Porte says the other stages will be a "free for all" that could "turn the race upside down" while Froome insisted it will "favour more aggressive riders".
Briton Froome is aiming for a fourth Tour title having won already in 2013, 2015 and last year, while Porte, his former Team Sky domestique, is looking to deliver on his strong pre-Tour form. Throw in the likes of last year's Vuelta a Espana winner Nairo Quintana, Spanish veteran and two-time former champion Alberto Contador, French hope Romain Bardet and Criterium du Dauphine winner Jakob Fuglsang, and a major battle is expected over the next three weeks.
Despite having already won three Tours and having become a father since his last success, Froome (right) insists he hasn't lost the desire that took him to the top. "The hunger isn't any less, I'm as motivated as ever for potentially my fourth Tour de France title," said Froome.
