Chris Froome: '2014 Tour de France route will be challenging'

Chris Froome has described the route for the 2014 Tour de France as "challenging".

Earlier today, the organisers of the the Tour revealed the route for next year's race, which will include 25 ascents, a cobbled stage and just one time trial.

The 2013 yellow jersey winner told Sky Sports News: "I like it. It's challenging and it has got a bit of everything. With five hilltop finishes, that makes it in my eyes harder than last year's Tour de France.

"The cobblestones are something we are going to have to prepare for specifically and look at very carefully at how we minimise the risks. There are accidents and mechanical problems that could happen.

"The way I see it, there is no reason why I shouldn't be able to stay with the all the [general classification] contenders on the cobbles, but I wouldn't expect myself to be able to follow the likes of Fabian Cancellara and Tom Boonen."

The race will begin in Yorkshire before heading into France.