Team Sky’s Chris Froome confirmed yesterday that he will target the 2015 Tour de France after all, having initially suggested he was not keen on the race.

After the route was announced in October, the 2013 winner expressed some concern about the number of mountain-top finishes and a lack of time-trials in next summer’s Tour and suggested he might instead focus on a Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana double.

But the 29-year-old said yesterday that he would once again build his season around cycling’s biggest race.

“Of course, together with the team, we’ve had to prioritise some events over others, but the Tour will remain my main focus for 2015,” Froome said.

Froome’s defence of his 2013 title came to an abrupt end on stage five of this year’s Tour when he was forced to withdraw after a number of crashes.

Tinkoff-Saxo rider Alberto Contador also withdrew a few days later, with the pair’s rivalry revived when they both returned for the Vuelta, which Contador won ahead of Froome.

Froome said that, by targeting the Tour, he was ruling out any attempt at the Giro and, assuming he completes the Tour, the Vuelta as well.

“The concept of doing all three Grand Tours in a season has got appeal but having said that, I know how hard it is to do two Grand Tours while targeting the overall win,” he said. “At this point in my career I feel that the Tour takes priority. There may come a time at some point down the line where other races may take preference, but for 2015, it’s the Tour.

“There is no doubt that this Tour de France is going to be a tough test but I enjoy the challenge and there’s no reason why I would be any worse off than any of the other contenders. It is our responsibility as a team to adapt accordingly so that we can be as competitive as possible there.

“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. It’s also going to be important to be as light as possible, so our nutrition will play a key role.

“There will be new tests for me as an individual, that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Froome, who is training in South Africa, said he would begin his season at the Ruta del Sol in Spain in February.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed my time off and now I am concentrating on preparing myself mentally and physically for the season ahead.

“I’ve started training in the warm weather in South Africa where I have been able to get some decent miles in on the bike.”