Cycling technique: Former professional cycling Robert Millar believes climbing is not a problem for Chris Froome

Speaking after the 2015 route was unveiled last week, Team Sky's Froome hinted he might not take part because of the lack of individual time trial stages, which are the Kenyan-born cyclist's main strength.

With just one individual time trial to begin the race in Utrecht, Netherlands, and a team time trial on stage nine in Brittany, next year's Le Tour is likely to be decided in the four high mountain stages of the final week before the peloton heads to Paris on July 26.

Many believe this will not suit Froome - including, seemingly, the Sky rider himself - but Millar - the Tour's King of the Mountains champion in 1984 - believes his compatriot's climbing ability is being underestimated.

In a column for CyclingNews, Millar wrote Froome "can climb with the best" but argued he has lost some of that natural ability due to his belief that being the strongest time-trialer of the general classification (GC) contenders would see him win the yellow jersey - as he did in 2013.

"He's traded some of his natural explosiveness for a better time trial, and given the previous Tour de France routes, that's been a wise decision," Millar said.

"The five mountain top finishes might suit Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali more but, with a change to his training programme, Froome can expect to see an improvement in his ability to deal with accelerations when the road goes upwards."

But while Millar is confident a revamped Froome could challenge the likes of defending champion Nibali and two-time winner Contador, the 56-year-old is concerned about Team Sky's collective capabilities to handle the flat stages in Netherlands, Belgium and northern France.

Froome abandoned this year's Tour on the fifth stage after three crashes in the space of two days.

Millar reckons if Froome is to race next year's Tour he must participate in some of the European spring one-day classics in the north of the continent as the opening week will include sections of the traditional routes of Paris-Roubaix and Fleche Wallone.

Classics racing is hectic, physical and often dangerous and Millar believes Froome's inferior bike handling must be polished ahead of cycling's most famous race next year.

"The biggest problem for Sky will be teaching Froome a few of the arts and crafts so beloved of the Belgians: jumping pavements, dodging street furniture, riding in echelons and taking someone's place not because you need to but because you know the other guy will give it up," Millar said.

"Froome can't afford to keep losing five places on corners if someone gets too close to him and losing teammates" wheels might not be too important on a normal stage but the roads aren't as wide in Belgium and the Netherlands therefore you need to fight for your position all day.

"Massive crowds will add to the dangers and, since Froome's not been exactly sturdy if he loses his balance, he really can't afford to fall off. The opening stages are a nightmare waiting to happen when you're a limited bike handler."

Millar added: "No-one with serious ideas of riding for the GC can afford to limit themselves to just stage races and training camps as preparation for July.

"They will have to incorporate one day races and some of them will have to be up north, in the wind and rain, with the desperados and guys who have no respect for your person. It's not pleasant but it's the only way to learn."