Tom Dumoulin ashamed of Chris Froome's late career: "It seems like he keeps cycling out of habit and is afraid to stop"

Chris Froome was undeniably the most accomplished GC rider of the past decade with four Tour de France titles and a total of seven Grand Tour victories. However since his crash during recon of the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné time trial, the Brit has been merely a shadow of his former self.

"I personally think it’s a shame that he keeps racing," his former rival Tom Dumoulin said in De Grote Plaat podcast, when asked how he views the still active Froome now. "I want him to have his fun. If he still enjoys it, who am I to take away his fun. But I can’t help but get the impression that he doesn’t really enjoy it anymore. It seems like he keeps cycling out of habit and is afraid to stop."

The two have faced off in multiple occasions, most notably in the 2018 season where the Briton rode to a shocking Giro d'Italia victory (in the final week) after two weeks of struggling; whilst in the Tour de France both finished on the podium behind Froome's teammate Geraint Thomas.

Ever since the 2019 fall however the 40-year old never reached the same level, but managed to keep himself in the peloton after signing a long-term contract with Israel - Premier Tech with whom he still races with to this day. At the time being, his contract does end in 2025, but he hasn't shown intention of retiring yet.

"Of course he still earns a lot. But then I think: man, does he need that? He's earned millions a year for almost ten years. I don't know how many houses you need to live in? The fact that he's riding around at this level now takes the shine off it for me. Actually, that's been the case since his fall in 2019. He's never been at his level again."