Intro:

SNTV spoke to Chris Froome on Wednesday (24th June) as he seeks to regain the Tour de France title he won in 2013.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, 2013 Tour de France winner:

"I'm extremely excited about this year's Tour de France. It really is the biggest event on the sporting calendar for us and for us it's almost as if we're having the Olympics every year."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

"I think there's a great feeling amongst the team. Everyone's in great condition. Everyone's really motivated and looking forward to the race now."

SOUNDBITE:(English) Chris Froome:

"To be honest, I'm not really looking at the individual stages for a stage win, I'm more looking at the race for the general classification and hopefully trying to get into the yellow jersey."

SOUNDBITE:(English) Chris Froome:

"I think definitely Alberto Contador is going to be one of the main rivals for this year's Tour de France. Nairo Quintana, who's never won the Tour de France, I think he's got a good chance of being up there this year. As well as defending champion Vincenzo Nibali."

SOUNDBITE:(English) Chris Froome:

"Maybe even guys like Alejandro Valverde, (Joaquim) Rodriguez. I think at this point I certainly respect all my rivals equally."