‘If Chris Froome had won in the Olympics then maybe he would have been nominated’
Sports Personality of the Year-nominated Laura Kenny gives her thoughts on the omission of Chris Froome from the shortlist

Laura Kenny (Matrix Fitness), one of four cyclists nominated for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) agrees with the numerous people who think three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome (Team Sky) should have been included on the shortlist.
However, she recognises that selecting sixteen individuals from all the achievements of British athletes this year would have been tough, particularly as success at the Rio Olympics is also taken into account.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly at the Revolution Series Elite Women’s Championship at the weekend, Kenny said, “If Chris had won in the Olympics then maybe he would have been nominated, but because of how strong the Olympic squad was, and there are already four cyclists up for the award, that would have made for quite a few cyclists already on the list!”
>>> Why is Chris Froome not on the BBC Sports Personality award shortlist?
Kenny, along with the other SPOTY-nominated cyclists, Dame Sarah Storey, Kadeena Cox and husband Jason Kenny, have been selected on the basis of their achievements at the Olympics and Paralympics.
It appears that Froome’s accolades in the Tour de France made less impact with the SPOTY expert panel than Olympic performance when it came to selecting cyclists.
Laura Kenny talks about getting back into riding after a summer break
On this point, Kenny does not concur as she believes cycling success in other competitions is judged on a level playing field with achievements at the Olympics.
She added, “In the nominations there are two footballers, a golfer, and Andy Murray isn’t technically up for it just for the Olympics. It’d be because he’s world number one.”
However, Kenny also believes that placing extra focus on the Olympics is merited because athletes will have trained to peak on one day in a four-year cycle.
Kenny added, “Being able to do that is pretty impressive, and for many sports the Olympics is the pinnacle of their performance, so I think it would be hard to not take this into account.”
Laura Kenny was racing for the first time since the Rio Olympics, representing her team, Matrix Fitness, at the Revolution Series in London, and won the elimination race in the Elite Women’s Championships.
She plans to resume training for the new format omnium, as well as preparing for the inaugural women’s National Madison Championships in January where she will be paired with Olympic Academy Programme youngster, Emily Nelson.
Thank you for reading 5 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
-
-
Life Time Grand Prix Round 3: Crusher in the Tushar preview
Life Time Grand Prix Round: Two down, four to go. Watch as 60 handpicked WorldTour roadies, gravel pros, track world champions and MTB Olympians continue the quest for the $250,000 prize purse
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Jumbo-Visma plan pays off to deliver Wout van Aert 'incredible' Tour de France stage at fourth attempt
After three second places, the Belgian deserved this victory
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Israel-Premier Tech unveils limited edition Tour de France kit
Team launches ‘Field of dreams’ campaign to help kids in Rwanda
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
After injuries that meant he had to learn to walk again, Froome says fans need to manage expectations
The Israel-Premier Tech rider is cycling pain-free for the first time since his 2019 crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné, something he says people should remember
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
'Life doesn't always go to plan' — Laura Kenny reveals miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy
Five-time Olympic champion returned to the track this week
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome eager to lose weight after 'baptism of fire' at Coppi e Bartali
The Briton admitted he was 2kg overweight after the Italian race, while confirming he will race the Tour of the Alps
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Chris Froome confirmed to race Tour of the Alps
Organisers announced the Briton's involvement for just his second race of 2022
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
'My preparations have definitely been delayed': Chris Froome taking it 'pretty steady' with knee injury
Four-time Tour de France winner says there is a 'good buzz' around Israel-Premier Tech as he heads into second year with team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome's 2022 preparations interrupted by knee injury
The Briton is taking some time off after suffering with pain in his right knee
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Dame Sarah Storey nominated for BBC's Sports Personality of the Year as Cavendish and the Kenny's miss out
Britain's most successful Paralympian is nominated alongside the likes of Raheem Sterling, Emma Raducanu and Adam Peaty
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published