Chris Froome says he ‘doesn’t feel close to retiring’ as he targets a fifth Tour de France title.
The Team Ineos leader said winning a record-matching Tour is a ‘huge motivation’ as he looks to join an elite club alongside the likes of Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault.
Only four riders in history have won five Tours, with Froome poised to match that after missing out to team-mate Geraint Thomas last year.
>>> Marcel Kittel quits Katusha-Alpecin
Froome told BBC Sport: “I definitely don’t feel as if I’m close to retiring. I’d like to keep trying for the next few years to win as many Tours as I can.
“It’s not getting any easier – the level is getting harder and harder every year.
“But I’m in an amazing position where I can go for number five, and I know I have the backing of the best team in the world to try to do that.”
Froome is looking to join the select few with five wins in the French Grand Tour – Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.
The 33-year-old won his first Tour in 2013, following up with victories in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
After also winning the 2017 Vuelta a España, he returned to the Giro d’Italia last season for only the third time in his career.
He took the overall in Italy with a huge solo attack on the penultimate mountain stage, making him the first Brit to win all three Grand Tours.
>>> Chris Froome shares Strava stats from tough final Tour de Yorkshire stage
Froome’s attention then switched back to the Tour de France last summer, but the demands of winning the Giro took their toll as he was forced to settle for third place as Geraint Thomas took a maiden Grand Tour victory.
Both Froome and Thomas return to the Tour this year riding under the British WorldTour outfit’s new name, Team Ineos.
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
-
-
Scrap road building to pay for fixing potholes, says Green Party
Party's transport spokesman tells Cycling Weekly that the big issue with potholes is vast sums of money stripped from local government budgets
-
Amazon to co-sponsor merged Jumbo-Visma and Quick-Step super team
American e-commerce company the first sponsor to be announced for new WorldTour mega-merger project
-
Is Chris Froome - in 2023 - a professional cyclist, or an influencer?
The seven-time Grand Tour winner hasn't raced since July, but has taken to being interesting on social media
-
'I thought I was more in the door than I was' - Luke Rowe bares all on Vuelta a España snub
Welshman will not race a Grand Tour this year after he missed out on selection by Ineos Grenadiers
-
‘I hope I get a cow’ - Josh Tarling aiming for the top prize at World Championships
Welshman competing in elite men’s individual time trial on Friday afternoon
-
'All being well I’ll still be racing next year' but 'it's coming to an end' - Geraint Thomas on Ineos Grenadiers future
'It's nice to be arriving at a Worlds in decent nick' says the Welshman ahead of individual time trial in Stirling
-
Carlos Rodriguez credits BMX skills with Tour de France stage win
Ineos Grenadiers rider dedicates his victory to his parents
-
Chris Froome 'absolutely not' worth multi-million euro salary says his team boss
The four-time Tour de France winner was not selected for this year's Tour de France for performance reasons, Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams says
-
'We just have to keep trying': Ineos Grenadiers ready to attack at the Tour de France
'You never know' British team's DS Steve Cummings says anything is still possible at French Grand Tour
-
Disappointed on stage one, pleased with stage two: Tom Pidcock gaining confidence at Tour de France
Ineos Grenadiers rider satisfied with performance on the road to San Sebastián after difficult opening stage
