Chris Froome: 'Tour de France is my priority'

Team Sky rider Chris Froome has ended speculation over his plans for 2015 by insisting that the Tour de France is his 'main focus' for the season.

The 29-year-old had previously indicated that he may forgo the race in favour of targeting a Giro d'Italia-Vuelta a Espana double, but the 2013 champion has now confirmed his involvement in next year's Tour de France.

"At this point in my career, I feel the Tour takes priority," Froome told Team Sky's official website.

"It's a climbers Tour next year so I'm going to have to work extra hard in the mountains and spend less time on practising time-trialling. I enjoy the challenge and there's no reason why I would be worse off than any of the other contenders.

"There may come a time at some point down the line where other races may take preference, but, for 2015, it's the Tour."

The 2015 Tour de France beings with a 14km time trial in Utrecht on Saturday, July 4.