LEEDS England (Reuters) - Defending Tour de France champion Chris Froome says the problems that have blighted his season are behind him and he is ready to use the energy of a home Grand Depart as the launch pad to retaining his title.
The Team Sky rider, who became Britain's second Tour champion last year when he succeeded team mate Bradley Wiggins, has suffered a far from ideal build-up, withdrawing from the Tirreno-Adriatico in March with a lower back injury.
