Chris Froome on 2022 anti-climax: "I didn’t have the opportunity to truly show where I am at"

Chris Froome has been active since the end of the season, taking part in the post-season Tour de France criteriums in Singapore and Japan. He looks back at the season with positivity, however with mixed feelings as he feels he couldn't show his best form.  

“If we talk about winning the Tour de France again, I am not thinking about that,” Froome said in an interview with Marca. “The dream is still there, but it’s difficult. I am only focusing on following the process. I am a person who likes challenges and the process." The Briton has shown this year his best form since his career-threatening crash in June of 2019 at the Critérium du Dauphiné, but has persisted with his career and renewed motivation.

Recently he talked about how he felt like a neo-pro again in the last few years. However, he's also aknowledged to not be bothered by his injuries anymore this year. “I am on that road and I am working toward it. I suffered a terrible crash that almost forced me out of cycling and I have managed to come back. Now things are different," he continued. 

"This year I was motivated by some of my performances, but for different reasons, I didn’t have the opportunity to truly show where I am at.” Those include, most importantly, a Covid-19 infection at the final week of the Tour de France, which he mentioned to be quite difficult, and completely broke his rhythm, not allowing him to show the level at the Vuelta a Espana that he has shown in France.

“This year was the first year since the accident that I haven’t had any problems. From my comeback to now, it was like I was a neo-pro. Now I want to have simple challenges, like having a long period without any problems or targeting a stage win. This season (2023, ed.) is going to be the year of truth. To really know where I am.”

“I had good moments and not so good one. It took me awhile to get the season started. I was going well at the Tour, but then I got COVID,” Froome explained. “It impacted me a lot and it wasn’t easy to recover. I had some hard times, but also some positive things as well. After the accident, I feel like I am taking some steps. I don’t know how far I will get, but I am still motivated to keep improving.”