Chris Froome

Chris Froome
Name	Chris Froome
Fullname	Christopher Clive Froome
Birth date	20 May 1985
Birth place	Nairobi, Kenya
Nationality	British
Currentteam	Retired
Discipline	Road
Ridertype	All-rounder / Grand Tour specialist
Amateuryears	2005–2006
Amateurteams	2005–2006 Team Konica Minolta
Proyears	2007–2023
Proteams	2007 Team Barloworld, 2010–2023 Team Sky / Ineos Grenadiers
Majorwins	Grand Tours, • Tour de France (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017), • Vuelta a España (2011, 2017), • Giro d'Italia (2018), , Stage Races, • Critérium du Dauphiné (2013, 2015, 2016), • Tour de Romandie (2013, 2014), • Tour of Oman (2013, 2014), , One-day races, • Olympic Games Bronze Medal (2012, 2016), • BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award (2017)

Chris Froome. Christopher Clive Froome is a retired British professional road racing cyclist, widely regarded as one of the greatest Grand Tour riders of his generation. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, and raised in South Africa, he became a dominant force in stage racing, particularly noted for his climbing and time-trialling abilities. His career, primarily with Team Sky and later the Ineos Grenadiers, was defined by seven Grand Tour victories but was also marred by significant doping controversies.

Early life and career

Born to British parents, he was educated at the St. John’s College in Johannesburg. His early sporting interests included rugby union and cricket, but he focused on cycling after being inspired by watching the 2002 Tour de France. He began his competitive career in South Africa, winning the Tour of Mauritius in 2006. His performances earned him a professional contract with the Italian UCI ProTeam Team Barloworld in 2007, marking his entry into the European peloton. He made his Grand Tour debut at the 2008 Giro d'Italia, finishing 36th overall, and later rode his first Tour de France that same year.

Professional career

After Team Barloworld folded, he joined the newly formed Team Sky in 2010. His breakthrough came as a super-domestique for Bradley Wiggins during the 2011 Vuelta a España, where he finished second overall, announcing himself as a future contender. He served as a key lieutenant for Wiggins’s victory at the 2012 Tour de France, winning a stage on Planche des Belles Filles and taking the bronze medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics time trial. Following this, he was promoted to team leader, embarking on a period of unprecedented success in stage racing under the guidance of team principal Sir Dave Brailsford and coaches like Tim Kerrison.

Tour de France victories

He secured his first Tour de France title in 2013, attacking on Mont Ventoux and dominating the individual time trial to Chorges. He defended his title in 2015 with a commanding performance, including a solo attack on La Pierre-Saint-Martin. His 2016 victory was marked by a dramatic descent on the Col de Peyresourde and a strong final time trial. He achieved a fourth title in 2017, becoming one of only eight riders to win the Tour de France four or more times, joining legends like Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault. These wins were central to Team Sky's dominance of the race during the 2010s.

Other achievements and records

Beyond the Tour de France, he completed a historic Grand Tour triple crown. He won the Vuelta a España in 2011 and again in 2017, becoming the first rider to win the Tour de France and Vuelta a España in the same year since 1978. In 2018, he triumphed at the Giro d'Italia with a spectacular long-range attack on the Colle delle Finestre, holding the Maglia Rosa from stage 19. He also claimed multiple victories at the Critérium du Dauphiné and Tour de Romandie, and won a second Olympic bronze medal in the time trial at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2017.

Doping allegations and controversies

His career was significantly impacted by doping allegations. During the 2017 Vuelta a España, it was revealed he had returned an adverse analytical finding for excessive salbutamol at the 2017 Tour de France. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) closed the case in 2018, accepting his explanation. However, his reputation was further affected by the UK Anti-Doping investigation into Team Sky and the British Cycling medical package delivered at the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2011. These controversies occurred amidst wider scrutiny of his team's practices, as detailed in the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report and the Cycling Independent Reform Commission findings.

Personal life

He holds dual citizenship with the United Kingdom and Kenya. He is married to Michelle Cound, a former Team Sky press officer, and they have two children. The family has resided in Monaco for tax and training purposes. He is a devout Christian and has spoken publicly about his faith. Since his retirement in 2023, he has been involved in various charitable initiatives and business ventures related to cycling.

Category:British cyclists Category:Tour de France winners Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Great Britain