 The win, retroactively, made him the first British rider to win a Grand Tour.Froome was initially close to being dropped by the team at the end of the season, and Sky's team manager Dave Brailsford had been in talks with 's manager Johan Bruyneel offering a trade, but Brunyeel had turned down the offer saying 'I want a cyclist, not a donkey'.However, after watching Froome's strong performance in the Vuelta, team manager Dave Brailsford reportedly flew to Spain to offer him a new contract in the middle of the race.