Chris Froome: 'I've got my running shoes in the car so I'm ready for Ventoux'
The four-time Tour de France champion looks back on the last time the race went up Mont Ventoux
![Chris Froome](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PqNC7TSeHtKq6AGmTYi25i-415-80.jpg)
As Chris Froome continues to battle through his comeback at the Tour de France he's remained upbeat, trying to ride himself into form at the race he's won four times in his career.
On stage 11, he will tackle the mountain that plays a significant role in his Tour story, having won in the yellow jersey on Mont Ventoux in 2013, before the iconic scenes of 2016 when he started running up the mountain as he waited for a new bike following a crash.
"I've got my running shoes in the car so I am ready for Ventoux," Froome joked during the first week, looking ahead to the double ascent.
Looking back at that day at the 2016 Tour de France, Froome remembers how hectic the day was after the finish line was changed due to the strong winds on the 'Giant of Provence'.
"It was complete chaos on the stage," Froome remembered. "The finish had been moved because of the crazy winds up on the climbs. There were not the normal barriers in the last three kilometres of a mountain-top finish like that, and the crowds were a lot bigger because everyone had moved down the mountain."
Explaining his decision to run up the mountain, Froome says his will to win overcame everything else.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"It was one of the craziest stages, it was definitely the craziest moment of racing I've been in. Only in moments like that do you really find your true desire of how much you really want to win," he explained.
"That day obviously, I didn't want to lose, and it seemed logical in my mind to keep moving forward, even if it meant running."
Despite finishing first and second the last two times the peloton has tackled the climb, this year he will be riding in support of Israel Start-Up Nation team-mates Dan Martin and Michael Woods.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
Merida Scultura 9000 review: a slept-on road bike with racing pedigree
The Scultura is light, stiff, and reasonably priced
By Joe Baker Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
'A bigger result than winning': Jonas Vingegaard hails second place at the Tour de France
It turns out second place is not always 'first loser'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Even if I never come back to the Tour de France I will be satisfied': Tadej Pogačar revels in third victory
Three Tour de France wins before turning 26, the Giro-Tour double, the suggestion of a triple crown. Records tumble for the Slovenian
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel: No one should doubt me anymore
The Tour de France's third-placed finisher suggests that he will have to reduce his time trial work if he is to beat Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tadej Pogačar: 'There will always be doubts... but cycling is the cleanest sport'
Tour de France champion addresses critics, saying it would be "super stupid" to dope
By Adam Becket Published
-
How Tadej Pogačar created history and won the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double
A journey that was supposedly fraught with risk and uncertainty was anything but for Giro d'Italia and Tour de France victor Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published