“I haven’t definitely decided that it will be my last season" - Chris Froome opens door to extending career beyond 2025

Chris Froome is likely to go down in history as one of the greatest Grand Tour riders of the modern era. The harsh truth is though, that the Brit is nowhere near that level in 2024. As his much-discussed Israel - Premier Tech contract enters its final year in 2025, could the Brit still extend his career elsewhere going forward?

Speaking at his final outing of the season at the Tour de France Singapore Criterium, the four-time Maillot Jaune winner was asked about his future plans. “In a perfect world, I’d love to go back to the Tour, failing that a Grand Tour at least, for one final push on the road,” Froome told Velo, hinting that this could indeed be the end of his legendary career.

However, almost straight after, Froome then casts doubt back on the assumption he will retire from the peloton at the end of his Israel - Premier Tech contract following the conclusion of the 2025 season. “I haven’t definitely decided that it will be my last season next year, but it’s looking more than likely," he comments, leaving the door open to continuing beyond 2025.

As mentioned though, before he retires, whether that's at the end of 2025 or not, Froome is determinedly focused on achieving one goal. A Grand Tour return, having been consistently overlooked by Israel - Premier Tech since the 2022 Vuelta a Espana. "To go back to a Grand Tour would be a really special way to finish it off, whether that’s the Tour, Vuelta, or the Giro," he explains. “In my mind, as a younger rider entering the sport, I’d always put getting to the age of 40 and still racing as my goal. That was always, to me, ‘I want to do the best I can do until I’m 40, and that’s my window’.”

“I’m realistic about where I’m at,” Froome adds, knowing his chances of an 8th Grand Tour victory are likely gone. “I feel I could play a really key role in providing support and mentorship to a lot of the younger guys, especially in terms of anyone who is looking to target riding GC in a Grand Tour. So that would be really cool, to be able to go to a race like the Tour again and mentor a guy like Derek in riding GC.”

“I don’t harp on what’s happened, good or bad, and that’s something that’s always helped me in my career, especially as a cyclist because there are just countless hurdles and upsets that arise along the way,” Froome concludes. “If you spend too much time really just thinking about everything it can trip you up mentally, whereas I’m always very much focused on what’s coming and what’s in the future. That’s always kept me in a good head space.”