TOUR de France leader Chris Froome has had to combat claims of doping, motorised bikes, spectator assaults and attacks from his rivals on the road, but says he would not swap his position in the yellow jersey.
The 30-year-old Team Sky leader has two days in the Alps to survive to claim a second Tour title after his win in 2013 and exit following three crashes in two days 12 months ago.
"I've been attacked from every angle in this Tour," said Froome, who maintained his lead of three minutes 10 seconds from Nairo Quintana (Movistar) after Thursday's 18th stage.
"(But) I definitely do not hate being in this position. Last year I was sitting at home watching this race on TV with a broken hand and a broken wrist.
"There's absolutely no way I'd change anything right now. This is the dream for me.
"Some guys might see it like climbing Mount Everest. You do it once, you get to the top and it's done. You tick it off and it's finished.
"I don't believe that's my character. I believe I could do more than that. That's what I'm going to push for."
Froome finished Thursday's 186.5-kilometres stage from Gap to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in 12th place, 3mins 02secs behind stage winner Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale).
The top of the general classification was unchanged ahead of two stages which finish at the summits of La Toussuire and Alpe-d'Huez.
"I hope we can finish the job now," added Froome, before facing fresh questions from a media sceptical as a result of cycling's drug-riddled past.
Froome was asked about his relationship with Dr Stephane Bermon, who works at the Monaco Institute of Sport, in relation to Team Sky's medical policy. There is no suggestion of improper behaviour from either man.
"We (Team Sky) use the Monaco Institute of Sport for our riders who are down there," said Froome, confirming he had undergone pulmonary function tests, to measure how well his lungs work, under Dr Bermon's supervision.
The UCI, cycling's world governing body, has also screened for motors in bikes in the past few years and Froome's was one of six bikes checked after the stage.
"Most of the suspicions are all in social media and online," Froome said.
"But surely they don't come from nowhere. The technology exists. I'm happy they're doing the checks."
Froome will be keen to make an impression on both Friday and Saturday as the finishes hold poor memories.
He controversially attacked Team Sky leader Sir Bradley Wiggins in the 2012 Tour stage to La Toussuire, which hosts Friday's finish, and in winning the 2013 title he struggled up Alpe-d'Huez.
Alpe-d'Huez, with its 21 hairpin bends, is a fabled ascent and Froome would dearly love to win there in the yellow jersey to cement a second Tour title.
"Alpe-d'Huez is a climb I'd like to settle a record with," he said.
"I definitely had a tough time there in 2013, when I hit the wall.
"The fact that it's the last challenge, the last mountain stage before the final stage to Paris, we can really expect it to be a big finale in this year's Tour de France."
First Froome has La Toussuire to overcome, where he expects Quintana and his team-mate Alejandro Valverde, who is third overall, to be active.
When Valverde lost contact on the Col du Glandon it looked like it could be a better day for Geraint Thomas' pursuit of a podium place.
But the Spaniard fought back to remain 4:09 adrift, with Thomas fourth. The Welshman's priority is to help Froome's bid for glory.
Fifth-placed Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) made a short-lived attack but was swiftly reeled in and remained fifth, 6:40 adrift and four seconds behind Thomas.
Bardet won due to a daring descent off the day's penultimate climb before the short and scenic ascent of the Lacets de Montvernier.
Dane Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) was among those in pursuit, but his hopes were ended when he fell after his handlebars brushed a television motorbike.
