Chris Froome long had an ambition to race until he was 40 years of age and now, with that milestone reached and no new contract in sight, retirement seems is more and more likely.
The Briton has competed with the Israel-Premier Tech team for the past five seasons and was confirmed Friday as exiting the soon-to-be rebranded squad.
“We want to take the chance to thank our departing staff for all of their hard work and, of course, the departing riders: Pascal Ackermann, Chris Froome, Riley Pickrell, Matthew Riccitello, Michael Schwarzmann, and Mike Woods,” the team said in a post on social media.
“Thanks for the memories over the last years, we look forward to seeing you in the peloton next year or wherever the next chapter takes you!”
The team social media accounts have since gone offline, but it indicated it will soon return to those sites with a new identity.
Israel’s invasion of Gaza and resulting protests led to bike sponsor Factor bikes declaring it would not remain involved with the team unless it walked away from its current branding.
Premier Tech initially followed the same line but more recently said it was cutting ties altogether.
Froome had a major crash while training at the end of August. He fell while riding his bike close to Toulon and was airlifted to hospital. His team issued a statement at the time saying that he suffered a pneumothorax [collapsed lung], five broken ribs, and a lumbar vertebrae fracture. He underwent surgery to treat the latter.
His wife later revealed that he had suffered a dangerous heart injury.
His contract with the team was due to end this season and with no recent update from Froome in relation to his ambitions, it seems almost certain that his racing career is over.
Tour dominance, then a huge crash
Speaking to Velo earlier this year, Froome spoke about the possibility of continuing into 2026.
“I think a lot will really depend on how this season goes. The chances are that this would be my last season racing, but I don’t want to put a limit on that just yet,” he said.
“I want to see how this season goes. Maybe I find form that I haven’t had the last few years, and that might motivate me to continue even longer. But for now, I just feel grateful to still be racing my bike and still enjoying it.”
Froome was born and grew up in Africa but spent much of 2007 racing in Europe with Team Konica Minolta. He turned pro the following season with Barloworld and was then signed to Team Sky in 2010.
Initially a domestique there, he stunned many, himself included, when he finished second in the 2011 Vuelta a España. That was later upgraded to first when the Spaniard Juan José Cobo was retrospectively disqualified for doping.
He helped Bradley Wiggins to Tour de France victory the following year, finishing second himself, and then won the Tour in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
He successfully fought an anti-doping charge of excess salbutamol at the 2017 Vuelta and won the following year’s Giro d’Italia.
Froome aimed for a record-equaling fifth Tour victory in 2019 but had a huge crash beforehand at the Critérium du Dauphiné. He suffered number of fractures and other injuries.
He signed a five year deal with the Israel squad prior to the 2021 season but was unable to return to his former level.
That led to criticism from team owner Sylvan Adams, but Froome kept hoping for one more big performance.
Swansong grand tour ride doesn’t happen
Having conceded to Velo earlier this year that his career was likely drawing to a close, Froome said he still hoped to do one more three week race.
“I haven’t raced a grand tour in the last couple of years, so I’d love to go back to either the Tour de France or the Vuelta this year,” he said at the UAE Tour in February. “Especially if it is my last season. That would be really cool.
“Either of those races would be magic for me. Obviously, I’ve got a huge relationship with the Tour, it’s been the race that’s really defined me. And then the Vuelta was the race where it all began for me, back in 2011. So that would be full circle for me, if it does end up being my last Grand Tour.
“Either would be a really, really cool send off.”
Asked what it would take to secure his slot in the lineup, he said it would be down to his level this season.
“I think to at least get the nod for either of those, I’d need to be show the team that I’m in good shape.”
Ultimately that didn’t happen; he crashed out of the UAE Tour with a fractured collarbone, and had modest performances in the Tour of the Alps and Tour de Suisse.
Placing 55th in the Sibiu Cycling Tour in July and 68th in the Tour de Pologne in August didn’t lead to Vuelta selection, and any hopes of competing in the world championships in Africa went by the wayside when he had his big crash.
So what’s next?
Barring any last-gasp offer from another team, it seems almost certain his pro career has come to an end. However he indicated he would like to remain involved with the sport in some capacity.
“I’d love to see a program, and love to be part of a project back in Africa, getting cycling really off the ground there,” he told Velo.
“I think there is huge untapped potential. I really believe over the next decade we’re going to see that.
“Similar to how we’ve seen Colombia take off as a cycling nation, I think parts of East Africa are going to become very dominant in pro cycling in the future.”
Don’t be surprised if Froome is ultimately part of the push for the next generation.
Source URL: https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/career-end-chris-froome-what-next-four-time-tour-champ/