Chris Froome savours sweet treats as Vuelta finale approaches

Chris Froome has revealed the prospect of snacking on Haribo sweets is something that has helped drive him on in this year's La Vuelta, which he rates as the toughest grand tour he has competed in.

Having defended the red jersey in Saturday's penultimate stage, four-time Tour de France champion Froome is set on Sunday to claim his maiden La Vuelta title, becoming the first Briton to win the race.

The 27-year-old Team Sky rider will also be only the third man to complete the Tour-Vuelta double in the same season, and the first to do so since La Vuelta moved from before the Tour in April to its present position as the year's final grand tour in 1995.

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Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme ahead of Sunday's processional stage into Madrid about what he has been thinking while racing, Froome said: "It's funny sometimes the little things that will get you to the finish line.

"For example, on Saturday I knew that once I got to the finish I'd be able to get a little bag of Haribo sweets - that was one of the things going through my mind!

"But certainly you start to reflect on everything, all the sacrifices you put in, all the weeks away from your family and loved ones.

"It is just such an incredible feeling to be where I am now."

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Asked how his achievement in Spain compared with winning the Tour, Froome said: "This year's Vuelta was a lot more brutal, a lot tougher than the Tour de France this year.

"It was the hardest grand tour I have ever done. Every day was relentless, just hardcore, full-on."

Froome memorably had a cup of urine thrown at him from the crowd en route to winning the Tour de France in 2015.

And he added in terms of a Tour-Vuelta comparison: "It is just such an amazing atmosphere (at the Vuelta) and the public really do get behind the race and cheer on all the riders.

"In that sense I have to say it is a lot better than over in France."

Froome also emphasised he does "not have any thoughts of retirement yet" and indicated his priority for next year would be trying to win a fifth Tour de France title.

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