Nicolas Roche missed the Tour for the first time since 2008 after being overlooked for selection by Team Sky. But he is back in action this weekend and looking forward to the latter half of the season which will hopefully include the Vuelta. At present, he is currently training in Livigno, Italy.
By Brian Canty
Nicolas Roche has said there was very little Chris Froome's rivals could do to beat him in the Tour de France this year.
The Team Sky rider blitzed the opposition to win by over four minutes from his closest challenger Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale)
And though Roche was not part of the winning team this time, he said Froome was just on another level to the rest.
“I think this time around it was pretty clear that Froome was superior,” said the Irish national road and time-trial champion.
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“I think there were a good few who attacked from that top 10 of GC riders. They were good and they raced hard.
“I just think that (Nairo) Quintana wasn’t the rival everyone hoped he’d be,” he added.
Roche said he followed the Tour but with racing and training commitments it wasn't always possible.
He finished the Tour of Poland in wretched conditions, far away from the bright lights of the Tour.
But he's hoping the hard days in the mountains there will prepare him for a shot at one of his favourite races this weekend, Clasica San Sebastien.
Currently training at altitude in Livigno, Roche is now looking forward to the latter half of the season, though he doesn't know what races are on his programme, aside from this weekend and the Olympic road race a week later.
“I'm looking forward to San Sebastien as it’s one of my favourite races of the year,” he said.
“After this weekend and the Olympics I have no idea, I hope to go to the Vuelta, I'm on the long list but I have no idea."
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