Chris Froome takes first post-Tour de France criterium; wins big hat
The three-time Tour winner finished ahead of Greg Van Avermaet and Rafal Majka in the Aalst Criterium on Monday
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

There's no rest for Chris Froome (Team Sky) after winning his third Tour de France. Less than 24 hours after rolling across the line on the Champs Élysées in victory at the 2016 Tour, the Brit was lining up for the first of the traditional post-tour criteriums.
Wearing his yellow jersey, along with King of the Mountains winner Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) in his polka-dots, to absolutely no-one's surprise Froome took victory at the Nartour Criterium in Aalst, Belgium.
He finished ahead of a front group which contained Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing), who won stage five of the Tour and wore the maillot jaune, and Majka, finishing second and third respectively.
>>> The moments that won Chris Froome the 2016 Tour de France
Froome was actually late arriving in Aalst for the race across the cobbled streets, but was still able to take in a lap of honour in front of the crowds before the race got underway.
His reward for winning was a nice big Napoleonic hat, thanks to sponsors Napoleon Games, and a nice big Belgian beer.
Hard to believe Froome drank that though, with a big couple of weeks coming up in his season goals. After an appearance at the RideLondon-Surrey Classic next weekend, Froome will be aiming for gold in both the Olympic Games road race and time trial in 10 days time.
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
60% of motorists unaware of Highway Code changes, one year after introduction
Charity Cycling UK has called on the government to raise awareness of the updates
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Neah Evans and Charlie Tanfield take National track titles
Olympians put in strong performances on the first day of competition in Newport
By Vern Pitt • 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
-
Tour de Yorkshire to be replaced with new look cycling event in 2024
Tour de Yorkshire not due to return to north of England, although initial plans announced for new cycling event in area
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
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
-
Tadej Pogačar down to three domestiques as Rafał Majka out of Tour de France
Majka's withdrawal with injury is a bitter blow for Pogačar leaving second-placed Slovenian with just three teammates
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Two riders face further Covid testing at Tour de France, top 20 not affected
150 riders cleared to begin second week of racing, two riders test results being sent for further examination
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