Froome rides into Tour de France history
HE RAN up a hill once and fell off his bike twice – but Britain’s Chris Froome will make history today by winning the Tour de France for a third time.
In doing so, he joins an elite group of just seven other riders who have won cycling’s biggest prize three times.
Froome captured the leader’s yellow jersey on Stage 8 of the 20-stage race and has held it ever since, despite two crashes. Traditionally, the race leader is not challenged during today’s processional final stage, so Froome should be able to enjoy the ride into the Champs-Elysee in Paris before being crowned champion again.
‘I still need to get the yellow jersey to Paris but certainly the racing side is done and dusted,’ the Team Sky rider said yesterday.
‘It’s an amazing feeling of relief, just coming over the last line today. Thank you to all my team-mates – they’ve been there for me every step of the way.’
Yesterday, Froome successfully negotiated a rainy and treacherous mountain descent during the penultimate stage of the tour, leaving him four minutes ahead of his nearest rival. But his race will always be remembered for the bizarre run up Mont Ventoux during Stage 12, after crashing into a rider who had collided with a motorbike carrying a TV camera. The 31-yearold also came off his bike on Friday.
Froome will next head to the Rio Olympics, where he is expected to compete in the time-trial event.