Chris Froome is the rider with the biggest palmarès in the Tour de Suisse field. Even at the age of 40, he still loves to race. The former dominator is no longer a factor in the battle for victories.
18.06.2025, 04:30
18.06.2025, 06:49
SDA
Chris Froome is competing in the Tour of Switzerland for only the second time in his career. When he competed for the first time in 2011, he was already in his mid-twenties - and a nobody within Team Sky. Only then did the rapid rise of the British rider, who was born and raised in Kenya, begin.
Froome became the high-flyer of the cycling scene for five years from 2013. He won the Tour de France four times during this triumphant phase. This ended in May 2018 with his seventh Grand Tour success, when he spectacularly won the Giro d'Italia.
The Tour victories as "part of my identity"
"When I was young and aspiring to a career in cycling, my biggest dream was to win the Tour de France," Froome said in an interview shortly before the start of the Tour de Suisse. He subordinated everything to the fulfillment of his dream. The Briton and Team Sky were on a meticulous search for even the smallest optimization.
The fact that he achieved four victories in the most important cycling race in the world "has changed my life. They have become part of my identity. When I look back now and see what I have achieved, I am very proud and also very happy."
The accident that changed everything
He has now been winless for seven years. That is of course a very long time, says Froome. However, in light of his previous successes, what he has achieved recently is no longer decisive. Froome himself points out that he had to come from a very long way back - referring to the accident that was responsible for the major turning point in his career.
It was in mid-June 2019, when Froome was caught by a gust of wind and thrown against a house wall while inspecting the route for a time trial of the Critérium du Dauphiné. He suffered a complicated femur fracture and further fractures to his hip, elbow, ribs and neck. He never even came close to reaching his former level of performance. Only on July 14, 2022 in the 12th stage of the Tour de France up to Alpe d'Huez did he once again stand on the podium of a World Tour race in third place. Further top placings: None. Since then, Froome has been nothing more than a motivated rider on the back foot.
Role model for his own children
When asked about this motivation - in addition to the princely salary he is still receiving from Team Israel-Premier Tech until the end of the year - and why he is still racing at the age of 40, Froome has a professional answer: "I simply love what I do. I love racing my bike. I love riding my bike at all." He also rides for his two children. "They are now at an age where they are impressionable and look closely at what I do. I want to be a good example."
However, Froome no longer rides too many races. The Tour de Suisse is only the third race for him this year. He didn't finish in the top 70 at either the UAE Tour in February or the Tour of the Alps in April. In Switzerland, it's all about "getting back into race mode", says Froome. Maybe even for one last start at the Tour de France? "Who knows for sure. But actually I would just be happy to be able to watch this great race as a fan on site."
"Pogacar achieves special things"
When asked about Tadej Pogacar, who is even more dominant than he was at his best, the Briton says: "He does special things - in one-day and multi-stage races. At the moment, it doesn't look like anyone can beat him. But sometimes things happen quickly on the bike."
Froome has known this all too well since June 12, 2019. What he doesn't yet know or doesn't want to say, however, is what will happen after this season: "That hasn't been definitively decided yet. But yes, it could be my last year."
