Chris Froome has admitted Sir Bradley Wiggins's absence is a blow to his chances of winning the Tour de France but remains confident of claiming the yellow jersey in Paris.

The two Team Sky riders had both been scheduled to contest for places on the podium in cycling's summer showpiece until Wiggins was withdrawn from selection contention due to a knee injury.

The 2012 Tour winner's exclusion put an end to a brewing media tempest over who would lead the team, which had continued to ascend despite Froome having received the nod by principal Dave Brailsford.

Although the 28-year-old rider is pleased a potential media storm has been avoided, he admitted not having the reigning champion working in support on him is a loss and has backed his teammate to make a resounding come-back.

"Having Brad would have added a huge element to the strength of the team, but I do believe we have got all our bases covered with the riders we do have," Froome said in an interview with Sky TV.

"He wanted to focus on the Giro d'Italia this year. Unfortunately, that didn't go to plan. I am sure he will bounce back and be targeting other races for later on in the season. We are not just talking about some neo-pro. He is the guy who won the Tour de France last year. He knows what he is doing and I have no doubt he will be back."

Froome enters the Tour as the clear odds-on favourite after winning the Tour of Oman, Criterium International, Tour de Romandie and Critérium du Dauphiné already this season and repeatedly defeating his nearest rivals in the mountains.

Those successes have given him a chance to adapt to the pressures of wearing the yellow jersey and also instilled a confidence that he can improve on his runner up spot at last year's Tour.

'Ticked all the right boxes'

"So far this year I feel we have ticked all the right boxes in the build-up to the Tour de France," Froome added. Winning those races in their own respect - those are not small races - has given me a lot of confidence. It has given team-mates around me a lot of confidence in my ability to lead the team.

"But more importantly it has given me the opportunity to be in this position to start getting used to start answering more questions to the press and having to deal with the different pressures which come with being the leader."

Froome also admitted that not having Mark Cavendish in the Team Sky squad will be a benefit.

Cavendish, the then world champion, rode for Team Sky last year and was keen to be supported in sprints, adding extra demands on support from riders already burdened with helping Wiggins in the overall classification.

"We do have a very clear objective this year to go for the yellow jersey and we won't be thinking of the element of having Cavendish there anymore," Froome explained. "I guess in that way it is a good thing."

Froome admitted to being anxious prior to the start of the French grand tour, but feels he is entering his best years as a rider and hopes a maiden Tour win can trigger a period of domination at the race.

"As a career goal, I would like to try and target the Tour for the next six, seven years, which I believe to be my peak years," he added. "I believe I am coming into my prime right now. If I can win one Tour, I would be ecstatic with that, I'd be really happy. For now we're going to focus on this one coming up and hopefully give that one everything."