'People will say Chris Froome's career is over but he will prove them all wrong'
Rowe has described the four-time Tour de France winner as 'a pitbull who will never back down'
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Luke Rowe has backed Chris Froome to make a full comeback to racing after a horrific crash saw his Ineos team-mate placed in intensive care after losing four pints of blood and suffering multiple fractures.
The Brit came off his bike on a recon of the stage four time trial course at the Critérium du Dauphiné 2019, when a gust of wind blew him into a wall as he took his hand off his handlebars to blow his nose.
He will now miss the Tour de France 2019, Ineos boss Dave Brailsford has confirmed, where he was set to compete for a record-equalling fifth title. Instead, he apparently faces six months off the bike.
Luke Rowe, who is Ineos' road captain and has been a key domestique in the last three of Chris Froome's four Tour de France victories, has issued a public statement in support of Froome.
"Chris is in a similar situation to myself. People will write him off and say his career is over," Rowe said. "But I think he will prove them all wrong. He’s a pitbull. He will never back down. I know he’ll be back - I’ve no doubts about that."
Rowe was referencing an injury he suffered in August 2017, when he broke his leg in more than 20 places while whitewater rafting on his brother's stag do in Prague.
The Welshman returned to racing after just six months out, despite an initial prognosis of 12 months off the bike.
However, knowing how hard it is to have such an extended period out of racing, Rowe said it wouldn't be easy for Froome during his recovery.
"Of course he’s got a long way back and he will go through hell mentally and physically," Rowe said. "It’s hard in the early stages. But he’s a titan and he will come through this."
In better news for Froome, while he was in hospital news emerged that he may be awarded the 2011 Vuelta a España title after Juan José Cobo was caught doping.
This would make Froome the first ever British Grand Tour winner, and would take his total Grand Tour haul up to seven victories.
Thank you for reading 10 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.
-
-
Academics pen rebuttal to trans women in sport report - Fierce global debate raises complex issues of fairness vs inclusion
When it comes to the issue of inclusion and fairness in sport, the academic and scientific communities find themselves divided
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
CW Live: Marianne Vos to miss cyclocross World Championships; Full list of teams for Paris-Roubaix and Paris-Roubaix Femmes confirmed; David Gaudu issues apology for Demare remarks; cycling charity facing eviction; Liège–Bastogne–Liège route adjusted
All the news you need to know in the world of cycling
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Chris Froome out of Tour de France after positive Covid-19 test result
Four-time winner and third on Alpe d’Huez stage forced to abandon on stage 18
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I’m going to keep pushing. I don’t know what my limits are': Chris Froome climbs to best result since 2018
Israel-Premier Tech rider finished third on stage 12 of the Tour de France to Alpe d'Huez
By Adam Becket • Published
-
La Planche des Belles Filles: will today's Tour de France climb be make or break?
Primož Roglič may be looking to salvage his Tour de France by exorcising his 2020 demons on the brutal climb
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
'I'm trying to get back to my old self again' — Chris Froome achieves his best result since 2019 horror crash
Chris Froome finished 11th at the Mercan Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes on Tuesday, his best result for almost three years
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Chris Froome: Being competitive at Tour de France would be a 'dream scenario'
The Israel-Premier Tech rider on being back at his normal level, appreciating his past, and aiming to have form late into the season
By Adam Becket • Published