Forget GC challenge, Chris Froome can claim 'enormous victory' with a stage win at La Vuelta - Robbie McEwen

He may not be challenging for Grand Tour jerseys right now, but Chris Froome can still claim an “enormous victory” by winning a stage at La Vuelta, according to Eurosport expert Robbie McEwen. Froome has had a nightmare start in Spain – finishing outside the top 100 in all individual stages – as much of the cheer surrounding his third place on Alpe d’Huez at the Tour de France has dissipated. Ad The Brit has blamed “quite bad” Covid symptoms for disrupting his preparations for La Vuelta, where he is chasing a first stage victory since his freak horror crash in 2019.

Vuelta a España'Covid is no joke' – Froome opens up on 'rough' first week at Vuelta4 HOURS AGO Talk turned to Froome on Eurosport commentary during Stage 8 when he was pictured chatting with former team-mate Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious), with McEwen praising the 37-year-old's resilience. “I was one of those saying he won’t make it back to the Chris Froome of old, the Tour de France, Vuelta, Giro winning Chris Froome,” said the Australian. “But certainly he can be a factor on certain days, certain races, when he has a really good day.

And hope springs eternal. “Look at the Tour de France – he was suffering like anything, he was amongst the first riders dropped on hard days. Then he got himself into the break on the stage to Alpe d’Huez and finished third.” McEwen believes Froome is now saving himself for one big stab at landing that elusive victory later in the race.

“So I think what Chris Froome is doing is riding as conservatively as possible, losing time in this Vuelta, and he’s going to try and find the right day to get in the break and see if he can jag himself a Grand Tour stage win," continued McEwen. “That would be a magnificent return. It’s not the