CHRIS FROOME HAS said that hostile spectators helped Team Sky bond faster as they adopted an “us against the world” mentality during the Tour de France.

Froome was spat at, had unidentified liquid thrown at him and has come in for a torrent of verbal abuse during his unsuccessful quest to win a record-equalling fifth Tour title.

The Briton’s team-mates have also been subjected to abuse during the prestigious three-week race, but they will have the last laugh when Geraint Thomas is crowned champion in Paris today.

Froome insists that the hostilities Team Sky have faced worked in their favour.

“It brought us together,” he said. “We bonded faster this year. It feels as if it was us against the world. It was amazing how the team pulled through, especially when off the bike it’s been more difficult.”

Froome hailed Thomas after the Welshman all but sealed his first Grand Tour triumph in Saturday’s time trial.

He said: “I didn’t need to give him much advice. He was in yellow last year, he’s seen me in these situations.

“We were always very open and honest with each other. It was clear once we hit the Alps that Geraint was in better physical condition so it was pretty simple.”

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