Chris Froome: It’s taking longer than expected, but I don’t want to miss the chance
The British Grand Tour star is still determined to return to race-winning form
Chris Froome says his recovery is taking longer than expected but added he is still determined to get back to his best.
The Israel Start-Up Nation rider, winner of seven Grand Tours, is still struggling with the after effects of a career threatening crash he suffered in the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné, as he tries to return to race-winning form.
Froome, 35, says he wants to look back in a few years and know that he tried everything he could to make a full recovery from the horrific crash.
In an interview with Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the four-time Tour de France winner said: "I still feel the hunger to race and do everything I can to get back to my best,
“It's taking longer than I expected, but I don't want to miss the chance. In a few years I want to look back and tell myself that I've tried everything.”
Froome crashed during a recon of the time trial stage of the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné, when he lost control of his TT bike while wiping his nose and hit a low wall at more than 50km/h.
The Brit suffered multiple serious injuries, including a broken femur and broken elbow, and needed immediate maw surgery.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Froome returned to the peloton in early 2020 with Ineos Grenadiers and was able to finish the Vuelta a España that year.
He has since changed teams, joining Israel Start-Up Nation with the intention of competing for the overall at the 2021 Tour de France.
Froome spent the winner in California working with experts from the Red Bull High Performance Centre, trying to correct the power discrepancy between his legs with off-the-bike strength work.
But Froome, currently racing the Tour de Romandie, has yet to show signs of race-winning form, currently sitting 63rd overall, five minutes down on the leaders.
He started the race with a 130th-place finish in the opening prologue, losing 52 seconds in just 4km.
Froome added: “I know about my injuries and do not expect miracles. I won't wake up one day and suddenly win again, because I’m starting at the bottom and working my way up again.”
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome misses out on Tour de France selection
39-year-old absent from Israel-Premier Tech's eight-rider roster
By Tom Davidson Published
-
2.28km in 2:55: The Tour de Romandie prologue which was over in a flash
Majority of riders opted for road bikes on technical course around the Swiss city of Payerne
By Adam Becket Published
-
A complete history of Ineos Grenadiers kits, from Adidas to Gobik, via Rapha
The British team switch to Gobik in 2024 after two years with Bioracer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Chris Froome's boss rubbishes claims bike fit is behind lack of results
'He can talk about his bike position until the cows come home - that's still not going to earn him a position on a Grand Tour team' says Israel-Premier Tech team owner Sylvan Adams
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Chris Froome, rim brake evangelist, 'warms to' disc brakes
The Israel-Premier Tech rider, also an investor at Factor Bikes, says that he has "way less problems" with discs these days
By Adam Becket Published
-
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
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome 'absolutely not' worth multi-million euro salary says his team boss