Christopher Froome wants to perform at a good level in the Tour de Romandie, however, insists that there is no pressure for a victory in the Swiss race this year, especially in a context of a lung infection which pulled him out of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege last week. Still suffering from some symptoms of his recent illness, Team Sky leader remains optimistic about his physical condition following several weeks of intense training at altitude on Mount Teide and claims to be “equally good or even better” than he was last season.

 

“I’m where I should be,” Froome insists.

 

Sipping a green tea from his thermos, Froome needed to take few breaks for coughing while answering questions from L’Equipe journalists.

 

“It’s about to go away, I’m almost done with that [infection]. It’s only a week since I had to take antibiotics. I could have rode Liege, but it might have worsened the situation. It was a right decision,” Froome explained L’Equipe.

 

“Romandie is more important for me, although it was a shame for the team to line up at Liege with only six riders. However, I’m not surprised to suffer an infection at this time of the year. If I look back two or three seasons ago, during the Liege and Romandie I always tend to have problems with my chest. It becomes almost a habit.”

 

Despite his race schedule closely resembling last season’s programme, which turned out to be a successful march from one victory to another concluded with a Tour de France crown, Team Sky leader didn’t race as much this year, as back problems forced him out of the Tirreno-Adriatico before he was hampered by the chest infection. However, the 28-year old Briton claims that the painful injury is already behind him.

 

“I’m very happy because I don’t feel any pain anymore, I can’t even recall when it hurt me last time. When I return [to competition], I always feel a little bit out of balance, slightly weaker on the left side, but it does not bother me. I was doing a lot of fitness workout during training camp in Tenerife, forty-five minutes every morning with a physio. Nothing that I like, but I guess it helps me progress,” Froome explained.

 

Through the context of his recent health issues and recently concluded demanding training block at high altitude, Team Sky captain was reluctant to assess his chances on claiming back to back victory at the Tour de Romandie this week.

 

“We have to wait and see how my chest would respond while making real efforts during the last part of the race. This time it will be the decisive factor.”

 

“While making reconnaissance, I saw that all roads were covered with snow. Will we be able to ride at high altitude? It’s yet to be seen.”

 

“I feel no need to win. My goal is to get ready for July and that’s it. Period. Obviously, it’s always nice to win and it would be good for the team at this point of the season, but there is no pressure on it.”

 

Froome underwent a training at high altitude following his unconvincing participation at the Volta a Catalunya, and claims to be pleased with the time spent on Mount Teide even though it provided him with some difficulties in previous years.

 

“During the first week I couldn’t stay at the Parador hotel because it was already full with many top teams training on Teide. We needed to sleep five hundred meters below and then changed accommodation for the second week, but it didn’t affect our preparations.”

 

“Usually I do not like staying on the volcano, however, I have to admit that I enjoyed it this time. There was no distraction, it’s been a long time since I could only eat, sleep and train,” Froome concluded.