Tour de France: Chris Froome 'ready' for final week of Tou

<div class="sp-story-body__introduction" style="text-align: justify;">                           <img alt="Chris Froome" class="" src="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/480/cpsprodpb/1506D/production/_90452168_gettyimages-576858092.jpg" /></div> <div class="sp-story-body__introduction" style="text-align: justify;"> Race leader Chris Froome says he has never felt so good going into the third week of the Tour de France.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The 31-year-old Briton is looking to win the Tour for a third time after claiming victory in 2013 and 2015.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The yellow jersey wearer is currently one minute 47 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Bauke Mollema.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Coming into this last week, myself personally I feel more ready for this third week than in previous editions," he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Starting this season later helped that, having a quieter run-in to the Tour helped that. My personal ambition is to be at my best in the third week of this race and I think I'm on track for that."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Wednesday's 17th stage of the Tour sees the riders go 184km from <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/36648909">Berne to Finhaut Emosson.</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.bbc.com/sport/cycling/36648909">Read Geraint Thomas' stage-by stage guide</a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Froome has disputed suggestions that other riders have been unwilling to challenge the Team Sky rider and his team-mates.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "I think the race has been that hard. People say that the guys didn't attack two stages ago (stage 15) but actually (Fabio) Aru attacked, (Alejandro) Valverde attacked, Romain Bardet attacked - the only guy who didn't was Nairo Quintana.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "I think that's who everyone was waiting for to attack, other people tried and they're going to keep trying."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Colombian Quintana, who is two minutes and 59 seconds behind Froome, praised Team Sky as "really strong".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He added: "Some of his team-mates who are helping him could be leaders in other teams. The main idea is to try to get him on his own."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Meanwhile, Team Dimension Data have refused to confirm or deny if Mark Cavendish will continue in the Tour.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Manxman has won four stages of this year's Tour but having been selected for Team GB's track cycling squad there is speculation that he could now drop out to start his recovery.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Fellow British rider Andy Yates, 23, has said he would be willing to attack the lead if the opportunity presented itself.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Yates, currently third in the standings and in possession of the white jersey, said: "Why not?" (Froome) looks strong. I can't see him having a bad day, but why not? If he does have a moment's weakness, why not try something?"</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>General classification after stage 16</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 72hrs 40mins 38secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 2. Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek) +1mins 47secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 3. Adam Yates (GB/Orica) +2mins 45secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 4. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +2mins 59secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 5. Alejandro Valverde (Spa/Movistar) +3mins 17secs</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 6. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +4mins 04secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 7. Richie Porte (Aus/BMC Racing) +4mins 27secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 8. Tejay van Garderen (US/BMC Racing) +4mins 47secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 9. Daniel Martin (Ire/Etixx - Quick-Step) +5mins 03secs </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> 10. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +5mins 16secs</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> BBC </div>

Tour de France: Chris Froome 'ready' for final week of Tou

                          Race leader Chris Froome says he has never felt so good going into the third week of the Tour de France. The ...

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