The telegraph
Chris Froome’s struggles continue at the Tour de Romandie as Rohan leads Dennis Ineos Grenadiers home with a one-two
Tuesday April 27 – Oron 4.05 km (individual time trial) Rohan Dennis drove his first race in over a month in impressive style when the Australian led an Ineos Grenadiers home with a one-two victory on Tuesday’s first day of racing in the Tour de Romandie . Dennis drove through the short, but lumpy 4.05-kilometer prologue route in just five minutes and 26 seconds and clinched his second win of the season in the six-day race in Switzerland ahead of teammates Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte, who finished second and third were respectively. Thomas completed the Oron time trial nine seconds behind Dennis, a former world time trial champion, while another Australian Porte completed his trip at the same time as the Welshman in third place. “I’m happy with it, it’s a decent start,” said Thomas, who is using the race as part of his preparation for the Tour de France this summer. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the race, but I think the weather will change so I have to prepare my head for some wet and cold stages.” I want to get the best possible result. With me and Richie at the top, I’ll be happy to help him, but I’ll also try to take my own risk and we’ve got two good cards to play. “UCI WorldTour 2021: Complete Team-by-Team Guide and Race Calendar It was less of good news for Chris Froome, the ex-Ineos Grenadiers rider, who finished in tenth place in 130th, 52 seconds behind Dennis. The disappointing one Opening day in French-speaking Switzerland with Froome riding in support of teammate Michael Woods came after Matt Brammeier, coach of the British men’s road team, said the four-time Tour de France winner was “far from” gaining a place in the Olympics To secure games in Tokyo. Speaking to Cyclingnews.com, Brammeier said: “I recommend the team, I don’t choose, but I can say I think Chris is far away. He said himself that he is not there yet and he needs more time to update himself and reach a level where he is fighting for that place. Win a fifth tour? In this form, Froome will struggle to get into the top 50. “We have four places and it’s not an easy team to fight your way into. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look good for Chris on my behalf anyway.”
