Great Britain's road cycling team visited a British school in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (2nd August), three days ahead of the start of the 2016 Olympic Games in the Brazilian city.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

With the Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday (5th August), Great Britain's road cycling team are hoping to be among the medals.

A day after arriving in Rio de Janeiro, the team visited a British school in the Brazilian city on Tuesday (2nd August) and spoke about their hopes for the upcoming Games.

Three-times Tour de France winner Chris Froome is the natural leader of a cohesive and highly competitive team selected by coach Rod Ellingworh.

Geraint Thomas, winner of the 2016 Paris-NIce classic; Adam Yates, who finished fourth overall and first of the young riders in the 2016 Tour de France; Ian Stannard and Steve Cummings are the other members of the British road squad.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 2nd August 2016.

1. 00:00 Great Britain's Olympic road cycling team arriving in the media zone

2. 00:09 SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Froome, cyclist for Great Britain's Olympic team:

"The Olympics is so different to anything else we do. I mean, the Tour de France is obviously the pinnacle of our sport and every year to focus on the Tour de France that's a massive, massive goal for me, but the Olympics is just something special, it's something more than that, it's something that only comes around once every four years. And especially on a course like this, that's so hilly, it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. So I'm really motivated to be here and to be wearing our national colours with the whole nation behind us, especially in cycling, seeing how the sport has developed so much over the last few years in Britain. We've got a lot of support from home and we want to make everyone proud."

3. 00:57 Cutaway of Chris Froome, cyclist for Great Britain's Olympic team

4. 01:03 SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Froome, cyclist for Great Britain's Olympic team:

"I think the final circuit with the final climb of eight kilometres is going to make a huge difference, but we first have to get there. We have to get there, we have to pass all the cobbled section that we have - that's also something quite new for the Olympics, to have cobbles. The climb on the cobbled circuit is also really tough so, all-in-all it's going to be a circuit for the climbers and I think we can expect to see the likes of Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde, I think Wout Poels, riding for Holland, guys like that who can climb really well, we expect to see them in the final."

5. 01:48 Journalists interviewing Froome and Adam Yates, cyclist for Great Britain's Olympic team

6. 01:54 SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Yates, cyclist for Great Britain's Olympic team:

"It feels fantastic. We got in (to Brazil) just last night, so still a bit tired and a bit of jetlag. It's still not so long that we are here, but I am sure that when we start and I pin my number on it will feel really special. But we are here to do a job. Hopefully we are going to arrive in good condition and try and do something on Saturday."

7. 02:18 Cutaway of Yates

8. 02:24 SOUNDBITE (English) Adam Yates, cyclist for Great Britain's Olympic team:

"Is going to be a tough race, the circuit is real tough, but I think we have the team here to do something. We have many options, we have the guy who just won the Tour de France (Froome). We have guys who have won stage races and one-day races before in the past and will do again in the future. So, like I said, we have many options and I'm sure we'll try to do something during the race. It's a little bit unpredictable with only five riders, but we have the full roster of five riders, whereas a lot of teams have missed out and have four riders or less. Like I said, it's going to be unpredictable, but I'm sure we'll be able to do something."

9. 03:03 Team posing for photos

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:11

Reaction from Colombia's Egan Bernal, Wales's Geraint Thomas and Italy's Vincenzo Nibali after the Colombian is set to win the 2019 Tour de France.

Val Thorens, France. 27th July 2019.

1. 00:00 Egan Bernal arrives at press conference

2. 00:07 Cutaway

3.00:14 SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Egan Bernal, Team Ineos:

"To be honest, still I cannot believe it. I even didn't have time to analyse it. I think I need to arrive to the hotel, take a shower and to think after half and hour what's going on, because right now I cannot believe it. That's all… I cannot believe it. "

4. 00:55 SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Egan Bernal, Team Ineos:

"The message I want to send is that I feel really proud of being Colombian. I am very proud of becoming the first Colombian on winning the Tour de France tomorrow. I don't see the hour to come back and show this t-shirt. "

5. 01:12 SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Egan Bernal, Team Ineos:

(On how he will be welcoming in Colombia)

"I don't know yet, but I guess the people back in Colombia is very happy. It is our first Tour de France even though Colombia have always had good cyclist. Colombia have always producer very good climbers that have won Giro d'Italia and La Vuelta (Spain), but I don't really know what was happening with the Tour de France. It was a race that we could not win and luckily, tomorrow, I will be the first Colombian to achieve it. I am very proud of this. I am just 22-year-old. I cannot believe what happened. I cannot believe it. "

6. 01:52 SOUNDBITE (English): Egan Bernal, Team Ineos:

(About his climbing ability in the Alps)

"When I was climbing and when I was high in the mountains, I was feeling much better than in the first part of the climbs. So I think that was something good for me. Yeah I think that I am a climber and, when we were going up, kilometres and kilometres of climbing was better. So I don't know if it is a coincidence. But, yes for sure, for me living in Colombia it was an advantage."

7. 02:35 Various of Bernal leaving press conference

8. 03:19 Various of Geraint Thomas

9. 03:38 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos:

(About Egan Bernal's 2019 Tour de France victory)

"Yeah, it is incredible. I just said to him (Egan Bernal) 'just enjoy it, soak it all up and don't worry about crying because all real men cry'. No, it's amazing to be a part of - he is a phenomenal athlete, 22 (years-old). He has got amazing years ahead of him and it is just an honour to have been a part of this."

10. 04:00 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos:

(About Egan Bernal)

"Yeah, he (Egan Bernal) has just been improving all of the time and he was born to go uphill fast. He has the best team around him, to support him to do that, and I think he has got many, many great years in front of him. Yeah, he can continue to improve and (he has) a phenomenal career in front, and just keep a good team around him, and he has got a good support with his family and guys. I think he is a humble guy and yeah a very bright future (ahead for Egan Bernal)."

11. 04:37 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos:

(About Team INEOS finishing first and second in the general classification)

"To be one-two (Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas in the general classification), the first time we have done that in the team (Dave Brailsford's team). Well, no, it is not, is it? Second time? Yeah, first time since 2012 (when Team Sky duo Bradley Wiggins won from Chris Froome). But, yeah, it is a pretty good achievement."

12. 04:52 Various of Vincenzo Nibali

13. 05:12 SOUNDBITE (Italian): Vincenzo Nibali, Bahrain–Merida:

"It has been such a long time without seeing a winner of just 22-years-old in the Tour de France. I think we must go back for long time to find a cyclist like him. I don't even know who it was (the last winner with 22 years-old), but for his style, someone who is light and agile, he reminds me to Alberto Contador.

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SHOTLIST: Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. June 30th, 2016

1. 00:00 Various of Chris Froom during interview

2. 00:11 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

"Very much so. Very much so. We love racing in France. We love the Tour de France. It's the most important race for us on our calendar. So yes, I'm really looking forward to the three weeks ahead."

3. 00:29 Cutaway

4. 00:36 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

"I do think that it's a route that is very much a climbers route. I think it suits a pure climber. Even though we have two time trials, they are very hilly time trials. So the guys who climb well should go right in them. But yeah, I think we've got a fantastic team here. I've got a lot of confidence in my team-mates. I feel privileged to be in a position to be leading a line-up of guys like that. I mean, guys who can be leaders in their own right have come here to support me and I think it's something that gives me a lot of confidence coming into this year's Tour de France."

5. 01:24 Cutaway

6. 01:31 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

"I think I am definitely in good shape. More or less, the same I have been in previous Tours de France. But I do believe this is going to be one of the toughest challenges for me of my career to date."

7. 01:53 Cutaway

8. 01:59 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky:

"My main rivals? I'd say primarily Nairo Quintana, given that both times I've won the Tour de France he was runner-up. He was the guy who finished second and pushed me all the way until Paris. But then again, you can't discount any of the big leaders who are here. Alberto Contador, Fabio Aru, Vincenzo Nibali, Tejay van Garderen, Richie Porte, Romain Bardet, Thibaut Pinot. There is a whole list of guys and that is the beautiful thing about the Tour de France. Once we start on Saturday, everyone starts as equals and we go from there."

9. 02:55 Cutaway

10. 03:01 SOUNDBITE: (English) Chris Froome, Team Sky (on crashes involving motorbikes on stages):

"I think it's something the sport really needs to keep working at. And it's something that is a work in progress. I think it's incredibly unfortunate accidents that have happened this year. But hopefully that is something that the sport is working at improving."

11. 03:27 Cutaway

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:34

STORYLINE:

Defending champion Chris Froome spoke on Thursday (30th June) ahead of this weekend's start of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Chris Froome will enjoy the support of a Team Sky squad featuring strong climbers at this year's Tour de France.

Aiming to win cycling's showpiece race for a third time, Froome will be joined by Sergio Henao, Vasil Kiryienka, Mikel Landa, Mikel Nieve, Wout Poels, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas on the roads of France this summer.

Speaking in Normandy on Thursday, close to the start of Saturday's opening stage at Mont Saint-Michel, Froome said: "I feel privileged to be in a position to be leading a line-up of guys like that I mean, guys who can be leaders in their own right have come here to support me and I think it's something that gives me a lot of confidence coming into this year's Tour de France."

The 31-year-old Briton first won the Tour de France in 2013 and followed that up with a second win last year.

On both occasions he was pushed all the way to Paris by Colombian Nairo Quintana and Froome expects the Movistar rider to be a serious contender this year as well, among a string of others.

"My main rivals? I'd say primarily Nairo Quintana, given that both times I've won the Tour de France he was runner-up." Froome said. "But then again, you can't discount any of the big leaders who are here. Alberto Contador, Fabio Aru, Vincenzo Nibali, Tejay van Garderen, Richie Porte, Romain Bardet, Thibaut Pinot. There is a whole list of guys and that is the beautiful thing about the Tour de France. Once we start on Saturday, everyone starts as equals and we go from there."

The Tour starts on July 2nd and finishes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris three weeks later.

The 103rd Tour will visit three neighbouring countries - Spain, Andorra and Switzerland - and pass through 16 sites and stage cities unvisited in previous editions.

Security will be tight, with France in a state of emergency since the attacks in the capital in November which killed 130 people.

The Tour will be protected by an unprecedented force of 23,000 police officers, including SWAT-style intervention squads.

Defending champion Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal, the joint leaders of Team INEOS, joined general manager Dave Brailsford in Brussels on Friday and shared their thoughts on the eve of the 'Grand Depart' of the 2019 Tour de France.

Cycling's most prestigious race begins in the Belgian capital on Saturday, the 23rd time 'Le Tour' will have started outside France in its 116-year history.

Brussels, Belgium. 5th July, 2019

1. 00:00 Defending Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas walks in to press conference with INEOS teammates

2. 00:25 Cutaway cameraman

3. 00:28 Wide shot of Team INEOS general manager Dave Brailsford sitting down at press conference

4. 00:39 Cutaway media

5. 00:42 SOUNDBITE (English): Dave Brailsford, Team INEOS general manager:

(on the absence of 4-time Tour de France winner Chris Foome through injury)

"We've got two great leaders, of course it's a big disappointment for everybody that Chris isn't here and we wish him well on his road to recovery, but nonetheless you know, sport is sport and the new baseline, move forward, and I think with the group of  guys we've got here and these two either side, you couldn't want for a better team, I don't think. So, it's (an) extremely exciting prospect for us to get going and I guess we're all looking forward to it."

6. 01:12 SOUNDBITE (English): Dave Brailsford, Team INEOS general manager:

(on Chris Foome leaving hospital and the state of his injuries)

"He left hospital yesterday and so he transferred to home. So it's a big step and he's managed to actually put his feet on a floor for the first time for quite a long time actually, and you know, quite a few of the guys here have been to see him, been to visit him and I think everybody thinks he's in remarkable spirits really for the situation he found himself in, he's adjusted to it."

7. 01:39 Wide shot of press conference

8. 01:43 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on how he's feeling going into the Tour, condidering his own injury worries)  

"Feeling good. Training has been good. Obviously it's different to racing, but no, I feel in a good place and I think especially with the way the race is this year, a lot of the big days are towards the end, for sure. I think that'll help anyway but yeah, I'm happy with how I am, obviously it would've been nice to have finished the Swiss (Tour de Suisse) for sure, but it's just the way it was but still had some good training. Didn't miss anything really, so all good."

9. 02:11 Mid shot Brailsford (centre), flanked by Thomas to his right and Egan Bernal to his left

10. 02:18 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on whether there will be any friction between himself and Egan Bernal as joint team leaders)  

"I hope not (laughter). Hopefully one of us wins and it's really uneventful. For sure, when 'Froomie' (Chris Froome) is here, he's probably one of the greatest Grand Tour riders ever, you know, and yeah, he has that experience and I guess respect and aura in the peloton, so obviously it's a big shame. But you know we can't... That's what it is and it's us now and like Dave (Brailsford) said you know, it's a super-strong team and it's the same team as last year basically, other than no 'Froomie', which is obviously a big card to lose, but you know Dylan (Dylan van Baarle) instead and yeah, I think it's still strong. We all know what to do and yeah, well try to enjoy it and do as we do every year.

(Q: You won't change your approach then?)

"I don't think so. I think you know, it's obviously slightly different. You know, rather than hoping to have three or four right in the final (run to the end of a stage), we might just have three, but we'll see."

11. 03:35 Wide shot of press conference

12. 03:38 SOUNDBITE (English): Egan Bernal, joint leader, Team INEOS:

(on being ready for the mountain stages)

"I don't look too much at the analytics but yeah, I think that for me will be a good point because I live in Colombia and had to do (a lot of training in the mountains) and I hope to be ready for this stage. I think that for me it will be something...

(Q: Has your family always lived at altitude?)

"Yeah, yeah. Always."

13. 04:05 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on his relationship with Egan Bernal and who he sees as being strong contenders for the Tour de France title)

"We're not rivals. I think... there are a lot of good guys... Obviously Fuglsang (Jakob Fuglsang of Astana) stands out. He's had an incredible year. Him and Astana in general, unbelievable how they've been going and I think the 'Yateses' (Adam Yates and his brother Simon, both of Mitchelton-Scott) will be strong, Richie (Richie Porte of Trek-Segafredo), Jumbo-Visma have been good all year, you know, Nibali (Vincenzo Nibali of Bahrain Merida), Movistar, I think... there's a lot of guys who stand out, so yeah. I think we're not going to... we're just trying it as always. We won't just race and look at one guy. We'll just... yeah, treat it as always."

14. 04:47 SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Egan Bernal, joint leader, Team INEOS:

+++ FOR OUR SPANISH SPEAKING CLIENTS +++

15. 05:07 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on Julian Alaphilippe of Deceuninck-Quick-Step, currently top of the UCI rankings)

"He's had an incredible year so far, I think he's been on the podium every race he's done, so if he sticks to that he'll be there. But if he's a couple of steps below me and Egan, that will be nice, but I think yeah, he's is in the form of his life, you know, he's going as best he's gone, he's got a super team around him, so for sure he's going to be right up there."

16. 05:29 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on winning the title in 2018 and trying to enjoy this year's race)

"You know, I had such a great race last year. Amazing experience and I'd love to experience that again. Yeah, but I think it also takes a bit pressure off because I've done it now and as I've always said, I wanted that one race where no bad luck and nothing to just go wrong and I had that and it was amazing and I don't feel I've got to prove anything, even though some people have said you know, I've been a bit of a 'one hit wonder' and stuff and it's a pretty good hit to have, if that's all you're going to have, so... But it's just, I'm just going to enjoy it, you know, and we've got a great team, myself and Egan can hopefully both be there in the finals and just race well and communication and all that and what will be will be.

17. 06:14 SOUNDBITE (English): Egan Bernal, joint leader, Team INEOS:

(on the support that he gets from his teammates)

"Well, I think that yeah, I'm really young to be like you say, a 'GC' (General Classification) rider, but I have a team with a lot of experience and it is for me, it's a little bit easier when you have some teammates that you can follow, you know? I'm just, like in the other race, I just follow them and they put me in a good position and in the final... I try to do my best, but yeah, with a team like this, I think that for me it's a little bit easier."