Chris Froome has endured a tough start at the Volta a Catalunya as he finished the first stage more than eight minutes behind the leader.
The four-time Tour de France winner crossed the line in 97th position as he came 8 minutes and 40 seconds after stage winner Andreas Kron of Lotto Soudal.
“It feels good to be here racing in Spain, I obviously always enjoy racing Volta Catalunya. It’s probably my third or fourth time here. And it’s good to have a good team of guys here.
“We’re hoping to be up there fighting for the victory this week with Michael Woods, or Dan Martin also, and hopefully it’ going to be a good week ahead.”
“I’m just coming off an altitude training block now so it will be a good test for me, just to see where my progression is,” he said. “I know I’m not going to be personally fighting for the victory here, I won’t be at that level yet. But I’m hoping to see some progression.”
As his main season goal of the Tour de France approaches, Froome says he was trying to improve incrementally.
“I’m just taking really one week at a time at the moment; building up, doing the best I can and seeing where we get to for the Tour.”
