'It's to be expected': Chris Froome brushes off fans' boos on stage 15 of the Tour de France
Tour de France leader unconcerned by boos from Romain Bardet's home crowd
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Tour de France race leader Chris Froome (Team Sky) has brushed aside any ill-will from the local fans, saying, "it is to be expected" when racing through Romain Bardet's homeland.
Froome came under fire from local fans packed along the final stage 15 climbs leading to Le Puy-en-Velay in the Massif Central.
"It's to be expected if it is basically the home stage of Bardet," Froome said of Bardet, who leads the Ag2r La Mondiale team and comes from the town of Brioude close to the route of stage 15.
>>> Chris Froome's Tour de France lead put under serious pressure as Mollema wins chaotic stage
"So it's understandable that all the locals here support him. The support [for me] has been great so far, and I want to thank the people who've come out already."
Bardet's team pushed the pace high on the category one Col de Peyra Taillade to put Froome and their other rivals in trouble. They kept going when Froome suffered a mechanical, and after the Brit had regained contact Bardet attacked.
Watch: Tour de France stage 15 highlights
Froome in his chase back heard some of the locals' boos and insults, but persisted them distract from his chase. He and Team Sky brushed them aside and applauded the fans’ enthusiasm throughout the Tour.
"I think that it's to be expected the support for him," Froome said. "But the French have been going so well with the stage wins with Warren Barguil and Romain Bardet, and Bardet here fighting for the overall win. I think it's great that the fans are getting so into it and involved."
>>> Five talking points from stage 15 of the Tour de France
Froome embraced the fans despite the insults. He charmed them and the home country more by speaking in French to local journalists after the stage, as he has done since this race began in Düsseldorf.
The feeling is much more easygoing for the British super team in France this year. Gone are the days when armed policeman stood guard outside the team’s bus, with fans throwing urine at the riders.
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Adrie van der Poel reveals banter exchanged with Mathieu before CX World Championships
Van der Poel senior says that his sons cyclo-cross season has been ‘perfect’ preparation for a strong start to the cobbled classics
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'They come to my country and kill kids': UCI's decision to allow Russian riders at World Championships draws passionate reaction
There has been a mixed response to the UCI's decision to allow Russian and Belarusian riders the opportunity to return to the international stage.
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
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
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published