In the world of professional cycling, few names have dominated the leaderboard like Chris Froome – the British phenom who has amassed a staggering four Tour de France victories.
From his first yellow jersey in 2013 to an audacious 80 km solo breakaway at the Giro d’Italia in 2018, Froome has showcased a blend of courage, tactical genius, and sheer resilience that made him a cycling powerhouse.
Yet, in a surprising twist, he has been conspicuously left out of the Israel-Premier Tech squad for the 2023 Tour de France, triggering a flurry of speculation about the future of this cycling titan.
Let’s dive in!
Recall Of Froome’s Career
Froome’s first Tour de France victory came in 2013, but it was his triumph in 2015 that truly showcased his resilience.
Following a disappointing 2014 Tour, where he crashed out in the early stages, Froome staged a heroic comeback the following year, proving his mettle and reclaiming the yellow jersey.
In 2016, Froome demonstrated that same determination in a bizarre but unforgettable incident during the Mont Ventoux stage of the Tour de France.
A collision with a motorbike forced him to abandon his bike and run up the mountain, making for one of the most memorable images in the history of the Tour.
But his accomplishments are not confined to the Tour de France alone.
He also clinched two Olympic bronze medals in road time trials, standing on the podium in both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro games.
After claiming his fourth Tour de France victory, he went on to win the Vuelta a España in the same year.
Then came the unforgettable 2018 Giro d’Italia.
On Stage 19, Froome pulled off an audacious 80km solo breakaway to wrestle the leader’s pink jersey from Simon Yates and set himself up for the overall win.
It was a ride that had everyone on the edge of their seats, a ride that, to many, embodied everything that Froome represents as a racer: courage, tactical genius, and the ability to deliver under pressure.
In the annals of professional cycling, few careers compare to that of Christopher Froome.
The Downward Spiral
A Dramatic Crash
The line between glory and disaster can often be perilously thin.
For Chris Froome, that reality came crashing in during the preparation of the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2019.
The Grand Tour specialist was completing a reconnaissance ride near Roanne when a gust of wind caught his front wheel as he took his hands off the bars to blow his nose.
The sudden wind jerked his bike, propelling him towards a wall at around 60 km/h. The impact was devastating.
The initial medical assessment at Roanne Hospital revealed severe injuries, and he was quickly airlifted to St. Etienne Hospital for immediate surgery.
The four-time Tour de France champion had sustained multiple serious injuries, including a fractured right femur, a fractured elbow, and several fractured ribs.
These injuries were not just career-threatening, but life-threatening, casting a cloud of uncertainty over his future in the sport.
Following a successful six-hour operation, Froome was placed in intensive care.
Team Ineos’s general manager Dave Brailsford described it as a “very serious accident,” adding to the growing concern about whether Froome would ever return to professional cycling.
The Long Road Back
Froome’s recovery was far from straightforward.
It involved extensive rehabilitation, countless hours of physiotherapy, and willpower that pushed him beyond the limits of pain and frustration.
And despite all odds, he demonstrated his resolve by making an impressive return to racing.
But the journey back to the top was not without its bumps.
The switch from Team Sky/Ineos Grenadiers to Israel-Premier Tech following the accident did not yield the results that the British champion or his new team might have hoped for.
Underwhelming performances had become a theme for the superstar, indicating his struggles to regain the dominating form he once held in cycling.
Yet, a ray of hope shone through with his impressive third-place finish at the Alpe d’Huez stage of the 2022 Tour de France.
Absence From The Tour De France 2023
Poor Performances
The exclusion of Froome from the Israel-Premier Tech’s 2023 Tour de France squad is the culmination of a series of challenging circumstances that hinted at an ongoing decline in his performance.
The previously invincible champion had been grappling with a slew of “equipment issues” that had resulted in underwhelming results.
Froome’s struggles were evidenced by his performances in recent races.
He finished a disappointing 117th at the Tour Down Under, 24th at the Tour du Rwanda, and 97th at the Tour de Romandie. Even in the general classification, his performances raised more concerns than they allayed.
One notable incident occurred at the CIC-Mont Ventoux earlier this year.
Froome had to change his bike twice due to mechanical problems but despite these setbacks, he successfully supported his teammate Michael Woods in securing a victory at La Route d’Occitanie.
Another striking example of Froome’s waning form was evident at the Tour de Romandie in April.
He completed the 18.75 km time trial a significant 3 minutes and 19 seconds behind the stage winner, 20-year-old Juan Ayuso.
He attributed the time loss to “equipment issues”, but these justifications did little to quell the growing doubts about his competitive edge.
The reality was clear: Froome was no longer the force he used to be.
The Israel-Premier Tech Roster
When it came time to select the squad for the 2023 Tour de France, Israel-Premier Tech was faced with a tough decision.
Woods, who had recently achieved a victory at La Route d’Occitanie with Froome’s support, was named the team leader.
Kjell Carlstrom, the general manager of Israel-Premier Tech, recognized the difficulty of the selection process.
“It was a tough decision to select our Tour de France team this year, but we feel we selected eight riders best suited to fulfilling our performance objectives.”
The omission of Froome from the list was a clear indication that the team had serious reservations about his ability to perform at the level required.
In a sport where results and recent form often overshadow past glories, Froome’s exclusion from the team underscored the harsh reality of his situation.
Froome’s Future Prospects
Views On The Tour De France 2024
At 38, most professional cyclists are contemplating retirement. Nonetheless, Froome has expressed his determination to continue.
He recently declared his intention to compete in the 2024 Tour de France, shrugging off his exclusion from this year’s race.
Froome’s desire to return to the Tour was palpable in his recent interview.
He confessed that participating in this year’s Tour had been his “ultimate goal,” a dream that was dashed much like the previous year when he was sidelined midway through due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Ten years after his first Tour victory in 2013, Froome had been aiming to slip into breaks and compete for stage wins.
In the wake of his non-selection, Froome took to GCN to voice his determination to return to the Tour next year.
“Physically, I was ready, but unfortunately, I was unable to show my full ability at the races assigned to me due to equipment issues.”
His statement betrayed a hint of frustration, but also an unwavering determination to bounce back.
Despite the setback, Froome respected the team’s decision.
He plans to take some time to regroup and refocus on his objectives later in the season. His target for the 2024 Tour de France is tempered with realism: he doesn’t aspire to the overall win, but hopes to compete for a stage victory.
Contract Expiration In 2025
The non-selection, however, is undoubtedly a significant blow to Froome.
His age and decreasing opportunities to compete at the highest level have cast a shadow over his future.
Additionally, the snub would certainly have wounded his pride.
Froome, who was signed by Israel-Premier Tech on a lucrative five-year deal estimated between €5-6 million per year, was initially brought on board to lead the team to Grand Tour victories.
Froome will be 40, nearing the end of his contract with Israel-Premier Tech, which runs until the end of the 2025 season. Despite these challenges, Froome has stated that he is not considering retirement.
Froome’s Legacy And What Lies Ahead
In the grand scheme of things, this snub may seem like a mere footnote in Froome’s illustrious career, but it indeed has profound implications.
It poses a crucial question: is this the end of the line for the four-time champion?
No matter what the answer, his legacy is secure. He has left an indelible mark on the sport, one that won’t be erased by a single season’s setback.
As he navigates these crossroads, one thing remains clear: the clock is ticking, and Chris Froome’s next move will be a defining moment for his career.
Will he rise again, or is this the twilight of an extraordinary journey?
Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
