Even though Christopher Froome of Team Sky kicked off the 2014 season in a truly impressive style as he has left his closest rivals behind while effortlessly ascending the Green Mountain to defend his Tour of Oman title, the Kenyan-born rider claims he is not necessarily interested in repeating his winning streak from 2013.

Defending the Tour the France title this season, and possibly dominating the French grand tour in several following years, is the only and well defined goal of Team Sky captain, but this time around Froome opts for an entirely different approach to reaching his objectives.

"Certainly not," he told Eurosport France when asked whether the plan was to win every race he started ahead of the Tour.

"The goal is to progress steadily and be on top form 15 days before the Tour starts."
 

Though such approach seems to be wise seen in from a wider perspective, the reality turned out to be different as a steep yet short climb occurred to be enough to destroy the opposition and turn his Omani campaign into an extraordinarily early demonstration of strength.

It was acknowledged by many of the GC contenders, however, that every next year top riders are forced to get better prepared following the winter-break and to perform at the higher level from the very beginning of the season, only with cyclists targeting the Giro d’Italia being an easily understandable exception.

In Froome’s case, he underwent the preparation period in Kenya and South Africa, what allowed him not only to sentimentally negotiate well known roads placed on a very adequate altitudes to perform this kind of training, but also and same importantly to cut himself from Europe and many of the Tour the France champion obligations.

"It was important to be in Africa this winter because it enables me to cut myself away from Europe. But more importantly, I am convinced riding on the roads I once started riding on, is a good way to get to my best possible form to start the season."

Last season was definitely a breakthrough year for Froome as he dominated every stage race he participated in up to the Tour the France, the Briton acknowledges, however, that in this kind of competition nothing is certain before crossing the line on the ultimate stage and he felt relieved no sooner than in that particular moment.

Team Sky leader also confirmed that his Tour the France campaign is a project planned for many years and at least taking some early season’s comparisons into consideration everything suggest that Froome indeed will be once again the one to beat in July.

"Yes [it did surprise me] because a victory in the Tour is never certain beforehand. You can never know what happens during the race. It was only at the finish that I said, yes I won this race and now I can relax." 

"I want to give it my best every year. That might be two years, five years, seven years or eight years. Who knows? I just want to be the best cyclist I can be and make the most of my professional career."

Froome has won Tour of Oman, Criterium International, Tour de Romandie and Criterium du Dauphine before his Tour the France campaign begun, with Tirreno-Adriatico being the only exception, as he has lost the race to Vincenzo Nibali after the Italian used his knowledge of the terrain, perfect descending skills and extremely unfavorable weather conditions to turn the tables.

This year Kenyan-born rider opts to return to Tirreno, as the race offers many various opportunities to test condition on long mountainous stages, as well as on individual and team time trial, and a stiff competition from both Tour the France and Giro d’Italia contenders. Paris-Nice, usually being an equivalent option for Tirreno-Adriatico is expected to be omitted by riders with grand tour GC ambitions this year, as its course lacks uphill finishes and testy time trials.

"Paris-Nice doesn't have uphill finishes and the stages are shorter than in Tirreno. I think the race has a better level so I prefer to start there. The time trials are the most interesting, one individual and one team time trial. That's an opportunity to see how the team works. The individual one gives me the possibility to see where I stand compared to last year." 

Even though Team Sky captain dominated all stage races last season and kicked off the current one in no less than a highly convincing style, he points out there is still a room for improvement.

"I can be better tactically but that can only be obtained with more experience. Personally I need to work on reinforcing some muscles to reach an optimal performance level."