Chris Froome (Team Sky) says he is aware that this year`s challenge for the Vuelta a Espaņa will be no less tough than previous years, but that he has had the opportunity to `really focus on being ready for this year`s race.` Three times second in the Vuelta a Espaņa, Froome has tenaciously persisted at what even last year in the run-up to the race he was describing as `unfinished business.` Now, one imagines, after last September`s defeat by Nairo Quintana, Froome has mentally added some capital letters to that particular phrase when it comes to la Vuelta. Asked on Friday afternoon if winning the Vuelta had gotten the point of constituting an obsession for him, Froome smiled and said, `not that, it`s a race I really enjoy doing every year. It`s obviously difficult coming after the Tour de France to get back to that sort of condition a month later, but I really enjoy that challenge.ADVERTISEMENT `This year in particular I`ve really had the chance to focus on being ready for the Vuelta a Espaņa after the Tour. I haven`t had the Olympics, like I had last year, so that`s given me a good period of training to focus on this.` Froome`s build-up to the Tour de France earlier this year saw him take far fewer victories than he had in years past, but his focus on the Vuelta may have had at least something to do with that. `The plan was to have a lighter first part of the season and I think that`s worked. I certainly feel fresher. But whether that`s reflected in the racing we`ll have to wait and see,` he said. However, he warned, too, that the Vuelta was a gruelling exercise on more levels than just the physical one, saying, `Sure, sure, mentally this is as tough as it gets.` A retooled line-up to support Froome`s Tour-Vuelta bid
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