Chris Froome: "Even though I’m not there putting my hands in the air winning like I did previously, this, for me, is still living the dream"

Chris Froome has with no doubt become a different rider than what he shown during his prime, but remains motivated. In a recent interview he talked about his 2019 crash at the Criterium du Dauphiné, but also of his motivations and negative comments from Israel - Premier Tech CEO Sylvan Adams.

“We’re in contact relatively regularly but no, no hard feelings. I mean his frustrations are understandable but, yeah, that’s how it is," Froome told Cyclingnews at the Saitama Criterium wher he is a headliner this weekend. Team owner Adams has been vocal about how unsatisfied he was with the lack of results from the Briton following a millionaire contract. "I’m contracted for another two years. I signed a five-year contract when I joined. I still feel like there’s more in the legs and I want to go out having given it my all. I’m not going to give up on it. I’ve had much worse said about me.”

Froome indeed keeps pushing forward despite many adversities and being in a completely different position than a decade ago. Currently he supports the team mostly and shares his experience with younger riders coming up the ranks. Although he has reasons to, he is quite clear on how he doesn't cling on to the past: “Cycling is full of ‘what ifs’ and ‘had things been different’, but it’s not really something that I harp on too much. I just know I was in a great place to challenge for the 2019 Tour de France, but that’s life and sport and you’ve got to get on it with and make the most of where I’m at now..."

For several years he's been racing his own race. "I love racing my bike, I love being part of a team with a shared goal and vision. And even though I’m not there putting my hands in the air winning like I did previously, this, for me, is still living the dream.”

As for 2024 his goal is, naturally, the Tour de France - where he's achieved his best results. He knows perfectly how to build form towards it and could very well have his penultimate attempt as his contract ends at the end of next year.

“If I can get back to the Tour de France and be there when the race gets selective, when there are fewer guys left on the climbs - whether it’s fighting for a stage win again or even trying to ride whatever position on GC again...to me, just to be back in the race, when the race gets selective, that for me would be the dream," he shares.