Chris Froome can't wait to get the Tour de France started ahead of what looks set to be one of the most exciting editions in years.

Joined by his team-mates and Team Principal Sir Dave Brailsford, the 2013 race winner looked relaxed at the pre-race press conference in Utrecht.

After answering any questions about his form with a strong overall victory in June's Criterium du Dauphine, Froome heads into the race confident in both himself and the team around him.

"From a personal point of view I've got to the start of this race in perfect condition," he confirmed. "The journey for me started a year ago when I crashed out of this race. I was already processing and thinking about the best way to get back to this year's Tour de France in the best shape possible.

"I'm really happy to be here. We're here now. It's been a year in the making and I'm surrounded by what I think is the strongest team in the race. Each and every one of the guys on this team has worked their arse off to get into this team and be in the shape they're in. There's a strong classics undercurrent throughout the team and hopefully that will help to keep me safe in the first week. Then once we get into the mountains we've got a few mountain goats and guys who can really climb. They're going to be there to help me all the way. I think everyone's just looking forward to getting started now."

12 months ago Froome headed away from the start in Leeds as defending champion, cheered on by thousands of British fans. A few days later his challenge came to an abrupt halt. Now lining up with a relaxed demeanour and 31 on his back instead of number 1, the Brit admitted that there is less pressure not being the defending champion.

"I think that's definitely a big factor in how I'm feeling at the moment. Another thing just on a personal level, I'm expecting a baby towards the end of the year and that's put me in a really good place. I've been here and I've done this now a few times. It doesn't feel like such a burden having the pressure any more. But certainly not coming in as defending champion I've got everything to race for this year."

According to Froome that race also includes stage four and it's much talked about cobbled sectors.  

"I'd like to just set the record straight that it wasn't the cobbles that put me out of the race [last year]. I didn't even see a cobble last year as I didn't make it that far. Like I said with the classics undercurrent we've got in this team I'm going to be more than protected on the cobbled stage. We've been out there and looked at the cobbles. I'm quite happy riding it and I'm actually quite looking forward to that stage."

With this year's Grand Depart taking place in the cycling-mad Netherlands, Brailsford was quick to pay tribute to both the country and it's cycling culture.

"I'd like to thank the hosts here in Holland. We've had a fantastic reception since we got here," he said.  "We were very lucky last year obviously to be starting the race back in Britain. So we know what it's like to host the Grand Depart. In Holland cycling is part of the culture and you can really feel that. It's been fantastic ahead of the race just riding round and seeing how many kids are out riding their bikes around. It's a fabulous demonstration of what our sport can do."

Brailsford also pointed to an entry list stacked with quality and the possibility of a classic three weeks of racing.

"We're all very very excited. We have all the best riders here. A great race - but a tricky race and very varied. The big riders are all on form and there's a lot of expectation and anticipation. We're really looking to getting involved, getting started and playing our role in this race. We've a super team. It's very difficult to get the final selection right as always but we went for what we believe to be the best overall strategy. But there's one thing for sure - I'm absolutely confident in this group. I don't know what the outcome is going to be but I'm 100 percent sure that this group will pull together and leave everything out there on the road."

The journey starts on Saturday with a 13.8-kilometre opening time trial in Utrecht. While not long enough to create big time gaps among the riders, the distance still provides plenty of scope for an early marker to be laid down.

Froome agrees, adding: "I think tomorrow's time trial is certainly a starting point in that regard. It's definitely the start of the GC race, even though it's such a short distance. It's just under 14km so there can be time gaps, and I'd expect gaps of around 20 seconds maybe between the GC contenders. So certainly the race does start tomorrow in that regard.

"The race is a lot more open. "It's just not a two-horse race in many regards. It's a race where, once you get up into the mountains, you don't just have to watch one guy you've probably got a list of about eight guys. If they go you've got to ready. That's one of the beautiful things about this year's Tour is that it really is a full-on race in that regard. It's probably going to be the most testing Tour we've seen in years.

“I think Vincenzo is the one to really watch within first week, and he will look to gain time with that classics-style racing. With Alberto, I’ve no doubt that he’s in amazing shape after winning the Giro d’Italia. He’s set himself the big task of the double, that’s the big challenge for him and it’s going to be interesting to see how he holds up in the third week given that he’s already got a Grand Tour in his legs.

“We haven’t seen too much of Nairo this season but I have no doubt he’s going to be up there in the mountains. Perhaps for him, the most challenging part will be the first week.”