"The 2019 Tour was the one that really got away" - Chris Froome reflects on Tour de France career and elusive 5th Maillot Jaune

One of the iconic figures of the modern era of the Tour de France, at his peak Chris Froome secured himself four Maillot Jaune successes, 7 stage victories and a King of the Mountains jersey in the 2010s. Now aged 39 though, the Brit has been a notable omission from the last two editions. Can he get back for a Tour de France farewell in 2025?

A shadow of his former self, Froome has not been the same rider since a nearly life-ending crash a few years ago. Nevertheless, the seven-time Grand Tour winner's career continues to plod along at Israel - Premier Tech, although 2025 if the final year of his much-discussed contract with Sylvan Adams team. As mentioned, Froome was left out of Israel - Premier Tech's Tour de France lineup for the 2023 and 2024 Tour de France but the determined legend is still optimistic he can force selection for next year's edition.

"I didn't make the cut for the last two, but it's not far-fetched to think that, if I give it my all, I can still earn a spot on the team and play my part — hunting for a stage win, maybe, or working for my teammate Derek Gee, for example," he says with self belief in an official press release by the Tour de France following Froome's presence at Saturday's Saitama Criterium in Japan.

One of the most important stages of the 2025 Tour sees a return to Mont Ventoux, a climb the former Team Sky leader knows very well. "The Ventoux holds a very special place in my heart," he recalls. "When I won there in 2013, that was when I really knew I was going to take it all the way to Paris. In 2016, I had a similar performance in me, but that crash happened and mayhem ensued. It made no sense at all to start running, but it was an automatic reaction that just kicked in. And, in the end, it went down in history".

As mentioned, Froome has four Maillot Jaune victories added to his palmares but despite his best efforts since his last victory in 2017, a 5th Tour de France title has remained elusive. "That's life. At the end of the day, I think the 2019 Tour was the one that really got away," he concludes. "I'd never been as strong in training as before my crash in the Critérium du Dauphiné."