"I've come to the reality now that returning to that level of fighting for victory at the Tour de France is going to be very, very difficult" - Chris Froome realistic about his level
CyclingSaturday, 13 April 2024 at 17:50
Now 38 years old, there's not much that Chris Froome has left to achieve in the peloton. One of his big goals though, is a return to the Tour de France, a race synonymous with his legendary career.
“I'm still contracted for this year and for next year, and for now I think that would take me until being 40 years old. I think that for me is quite a good goal to reach 40 and still be racing," the Israel - Premier Tech rider assesses of his future plans in conversation with Eurosport. “I would be really happy with that."
A four-time Tour de France winner in his pomp, Froome missed out on the race completely last year with his performances not deemed to be up to the level required by Israel - Premier Tech boss, Sylvan Adams. Nevertheless, the Brit remains optimistic. "I mean in terms of actual goals getting back to the Tour de France and fighting for even a stage win would be for me an amazing way to end my career with at least a few more battles in the mountains," he says.
Froome does however, have to admit another Maillot Jaune is unlikely. “A fifth Tour de France for me is always there as a dream, but I think I've come to the reality now that returning to that level of really fighting for victory at the Tour de France is certainly going to be very, very difficult," he admits. “For me right now, I would just love to get back to the Tour de France. Even if I'm there fighting in the mountains, potentially for another stage win, that would be amazing.”
After an injury-hit 2023, Froome has already had more issues this year, including a crash at Tirreno-Adriatico that left him with a broken wrist. “Unfortunately, things like this [wrist injury] do set me back. I mean crashing is never fun but when you break a bone then it takes time to recover and heal from that," he laments. "Time to train, time to go to the races, being healthy. That's all it takes, but to try and avoid having setbacks and bad luck.”
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- The point of the article is well taken. Don’t judge a riders grand tour results after one stage. But he is slowly becoming a regular second.mij10-05-2025
- I’m disagreeing with the headline and tone of the article. I don’t even see Wout quoted. And he doesn’t offer excuses. My comment stands. He has no wins in his cobbled monuments. And is second too many times. And shouldn’t accept these results.mij10-05-2025
- Hey, Wout is one of the least excuse seeking riders out there, read the article again and let’s wait and see over the 3 weeks. Also a bad sign if you’re willing to give up on him faster than himself.Mistermaumau09-05-2025
- No more than Primoz at the TdFMistermaumau09-05-2025
- Sorry but Iagree more with the article at this point of the season. Had Mads not had a perfect lead-out it would have been a done deal already.Mistermaumau09-05-2025
- Certainties in life: Jay Vine crashing, Wout second, death and taxes.
maria2024202409-05-2025 - It’s really a bad sign with a competitor is supposed to be happy with moral victories. Or when 2nd place is a positive sign to be happy about. Or “I’ve been ill”. I know he’s coming back from a lot of injuries. At some point the excuses need to end and “W’s” startmij09-05-2025
- Dude has a record of crashing every Giroabstractengineer09-05-2025
- That was an unfortunate crash by Mikel Landa. Hopefully he's not seriously injured, and can recover in time to help out Remco at the TDF.
santiagobenites09-05-2025 - Yep, and considering neither is really built for climbing, it speaks volumes. Only name I can see who has a climbers build is KN. An observation maybe someone will find interesting or have more info on, compared to men, the strong lady climbers are heavier, often the equivalent of their male versions for same height. Is it because the girls try to build muscle to climb better or the boys try to lose weight for that or both, seems paradoxical.Mistermaumau09-05-2025
Hope he gets stage wins or two at TDF
Seriously.....are you from planet earth.
"Better late than never"
Can not think of a better example to that phrase
I've come to the same realization about my own future as a pro cyclist. I'm 58 and have an FTP of 230, and it's really starting to seem like I'm not going to make it.
Shiiiiiiiit, that makes you older than me :-)
I’m told it gets easier once you can enter the over 60s categories ;-)
I'm the Chris Froome of the under-60 level....
I'm 25, will turn 26 this August😅😂😂. You are far older than me😂😂😂
I'm more than two of you, so I only have to work half as hard!
Time to bring out the classic again.
Little bull and daddy bull stand on a hill looking down at a meadow full of cows.
Daddy, daddy, let’s run down and …. one
No son, let’s walk down and … them all.
I am just a 🥕 compared to you guys😂. I look like a carrot on a bike🚲 😂😂😂
Stealing a living.
Who's your top3?
1. TP
2. MDVD
3. JV
Too bad Jonas is injured😕. Otherwise, my boys are still on the saddle😂
lol armchair "experts." Thanks for the good times Chris. My personal favourite ride was in the 2018 Giro when you pulled back 3.22 minutes on Simon Yates on stage 19. An epic ride. It's worth looking for if you know nothing about it.
I think it can be difficult for a pro athlete to believe they are mortal after hitting the highs like he has.
Yes, but in the ludicrous budgets they command, is there not a little left for some mental massages when they’re having such problems.
I know these boys are not the brightest and must have a very tough outer (mental) skin but there are professionals who know how to deal with such issues.
Well, maybe tell them how to show it when they’re speaking. Sorry but obviously they spent more time in their youth on bikes than in education, it’s not their fault and it doesn’t mean they might not catch up later in life but their work and entourage do imply a vast reduction in time or possibilities for other things.
Mhm...
Only a bunch of years later than just about everybody else.
Fair but I commend him for his self belief. Can't be a professional athlete without believing in yourself even when others don't
Within reason. He's been extremely unreasonable. Going as far as blaming his bike fit
Can’t be a professional US president or dictator or worse without believing in yourself either but at some point you become your own worst enemy if you never listen to people around you that don’t just agree with you on everything.
Indeed 5 years too late. Still, he loves cycling. Would love to see him back in another job when he stops
Probadly buying Quickstep or something😆
If he wants to test himself against Jonas or Pogi, he’d be better off buying one of the other teams :-)
You’re assuming he has a lot of money lying around, at this point I think Ineos would be cheaper.
😂😂😂