{"id":2176259,"date":"2026-10-02T08:23:03","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T05:23:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2176259"},"modified":"2026-10-02T08:23:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T05:23:03","slug":"i-would-be-probably-just-cracking-a-top-20-chris-froome-talks-tadej-pogacar-the-state-of-modern-cycling-and-his-years-in-the-wilderness-post-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2176259","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;I would be probably just cracking a top 20&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome talks Tadej Poga\u010dar, the state of modern cycling, and his years in the wilderness post-injury"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;I&#8217;m getting better each day after the crash&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar provides injury update at 2031 World Championships presentation\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nChristopher Froome\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I would be probably just cracking a top 20&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome talks Tadej Poga\u010dar, the state of modern cycling, and his years in the wilderness post-injury<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nOwen Rogers <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-02T08:23:03Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n2 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The four-time Tour de France winner talks exclusively to Cyclingnews about his career, which ended a year ago<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eed10-b8d7-11f1-9b1a-1d6fe3633f4c\">It might be only a year since Chris Froome retired, but it\u2019s more than eight years since his most recent win, so it\u2019s easy to forget how he once dominated the Grand Tours. He won seven three-week races in the eight seasons between 2011 and 2018, as well as the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 three times and the Tour de Romandie twice. For a long stretch of the 2010s he was the sport\u2019s best stage racer, bar none.<\/p>\n<p>Despite that success and status, it\u2019s surprising how little we\u2019ve heard from the now-41-year-old in recent years. Yes, his career tailed off without a single victory after he joined Israel-Premier Tech in 2021, and the 2025 crash which ended his career a few months prematurely drew attention, but he was too busy recovering from life-threatening injuries to be speaking to the press. But other than a couple of interviews at the Tour de France last year, where he was working as an ambassador for \u0160koda, there\u2019s been little else until the last couple of weeks.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eed10-b8d7-11f1-9b1a-1d6fe3633f4c-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Doing brand ambassador work, as well as investing in a few cycling companies, is how Froome spends a lot of his time now. It&#8217;s at an event for two of these brands \u2013 a joint Eko\u00ef and Factor ride-out in south-west London \u2013 that <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> is reunited with the four-time Tour de France winner, the leafy Surrey Hills a far-cry away from the mountains of France and the intensity of his racing career.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-cf05317c-bc19-11f1-b5c6-05cd6a4a0985\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>&#8220;Your absolute goal is to get to that point where you can drive your opponents to think that they&#8217;re only racing for second place.&#8221;<\/p><figcaption><cite>Chris Froome<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d239ee10-be39-11f1-b5f7-655593dda53e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Socalising before the ride, there\u2019s a hint he likes life away from the spotlight. He&#8217;s relaxed, smiling and chatting with the other guests as if he was just any other cyclist. Other than his colourful and flashy Factor One bike \u2013 a brand he&#8217;s a shareholder in \u2013 he\u2019s no different on the road:the smiles, photos and chattiness continue, and he even pushes one of the slower punters up some of the climbs. He might be the star of the show, but for all intents and purposes, he\u2019s just one of the group today.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aa97a-b8f2-11f1-8ee8-21d771adf573\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dave Dodge Photography\/Eko\u00ef)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-807351dc-b8f0-11f1-93a9-81658dddeed2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m trying to get out once or twice a week at least,&#8221; he tells <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>after the ride. &#8220;Just with friends, keeping it social, or pro riders who are on their recovery days \u2013 I wouldn&#8217;t dare go with them on a normal training day anymore. That chapter is firmly closed for me, no temptation to want to get back into any competitive kind of racing or anything.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It didn&#8217;t even cross my mind to continue&#8217; racing after 2025 crash, says  recently retired Chris Froome<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was literally bleeding out&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome goes into detail on the injuries that &#8216;almost killed&#8217; him, and why he assumed everyone knew he&#8217;d retired<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Such is his low-key persona and the passing of time it\u2019s easy for to forget that he was to the 2010s what Tadej Poga\u010dar is to the 2020s, and for now at least he has more Grand Tour wins than the Slovenian. However, Froome is the first to baulk at the comparison.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"tadej-pogacar-is-39-writing-his-own-history-39-says-froome-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tadej Poga\u010dar is &#8216;writing his own history&#8217;, says Froome<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18b6a-b8e1-11f1-b13a-e770e71f74d4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What he&#8217;s doing is just is just phenomenal, nothing but admiration and respect,&#8221; Froome says of his Slovenian successor, winning many of the things Froome used to win, albeit in a totally different way and indeed era.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What he&#8217;s doing is not rewriting history, but he&#8217;s writing his own history in the sport. When the level is so high already, and the margins between everyone else are so slim he&#8217;s able to be head and shoulders above everyone else. What he&#8217;s doing in Classics is probably even more impressive to me than what he&#8217;s doing in the Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-502bddce-be3a-11f1-8b1a-7dcfec10f86a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More like this:<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-502bdea0-be3a-11f1-9e64-1b839d0dbbc7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I understand what training it took to be ready for races like the Tour de France or Vuelta and Giro, but I would write myself off from being competitive in one-day races. I understood that they&#8217;re almost like two different sports. So how he&#8217;s able to do both and literally just go from February until October at that level is\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Froome tails off before modestly admitting that, like Poga\u010dar, he too dominated the sport, and while he understands how fans might find such dominance boring, he doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has proven he&#8217;s the best of all time, I don&#8217;t see anyone challenging him for another two years \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We\u2019re witnessing something very special, and it&#8217;s a pleasure to watch him race. It must be extremely demoralising for his competitors, but as a bike rider, this is what you strive to become.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-790b08e2-b8f3-11f1-be12-4f30bb590518\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Chris Froome and Tadej Poga\u010dar both dominated the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-790b09a0-b8f3-11f1-be46-bbf6ad93fdee\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Your absolute goal is to get to that point where you can drive your opponents to think that they&#8217;re only racing for second place. He did that the first time they hit the mountains on stage six this year up Tourmalet, and he had almost three minutes on Vingegaard.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had huge respect for that, that that is 100% what I would try and do. First mountain top finish lay down the law, absolutely blow them away, and mentally you&#8217;ve already won the race. So, yeah, I would very much make that my goal in a lot of lot of these races.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Froome might come across as mild-mannered, but in talking about Poga\u010dar he offered an insight into the mentality which made him the Grand Tour great he was, but where would he be now?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, no, no, there&#8217;s no question. I would be probably just cracking a top 20 in the race now, even though it&#8217;s only six, seven years on from when I was winning,&#8221; he says with a rueful smile, citing improvements in tyres, bikes and aerodynamics, but emphasising nutrition.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I was winning the Tour de France we were probably fuelling not more than about 40-50 grams [of carbohydrates] an hour, and now it&#8217;s over over 100, 150 at times on the big stages. We&#8217;re not talking about a 20, 30% increase in fuelling, we\u2019re talking about a 300% increase.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"39-i-had-to-see-if-i-could-come-back-and-win-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;I had to see if I could come back and win\u2019<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18c64-b8e1-11f1-a1af-f173f35a0eb7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While Froome experienced plenty of success through his career, it was punctuated by two very serious crashes. Just last year, weeks before what should have been his final race, he crashed while on a training ride, suffering multiple internal injuries, ending his career, and in 2019 he lost control of his bike while sighting the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 time trial. As a result he knows something of how Poga\u010dar might feel after his crash on stage 8 of the recent Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, which ended the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider\u2019s race and season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it\u2019s really personal,&#8221; he says. &#8220;Thankfully for him, it wasn&#8217;t his error, it was one of those fluke accidents, so I wouldn&#8217;t imagine there would be any reason for him to have any fear after this. Some guys just have to see someone else crashing and they\u2019ll have fear for months down the line.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aaa1a-b8f2-11f1-9484-4bcc37a96136\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-579aaa88-b8f2-11f1-ae6b-1b9880936e87\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I was incredibly fortunate that after my 2019 crash, when I broke my leg in two places, that I didn&#8217;t have that fear. But I also don&#8217;t remember my crash, it was just erased from my memory, I must have hit my head hard enough, or it was enough of a shock that I don&#8217;t remember the crash at all. [Otherwise] I\u2019d be always second guessing myself, going into corners at high speed, thinking, &#8216;What if I mess this one up like I did before?\u2019&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That crash in June 2019 saw him not only forced out of that year\u2019s Tour de France, but it also marked the end of his career as a winner. He returned to racing the following February but failed to bag even a top 10 finish throughout 2020, his final season with what was by then Ineos Grenadiers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A move to Israel-Premier Tech proved no more successful, though he came oh so close to winning on Alpe d\u2019Huez during the 2022 Tour de France, eventually finishing third behind a rampant Tom Pidcock, a result he describes as good as a win. While he managed second place in the team time trial at the 2024 Tour du Rwanda, that day on the Alpe was the last individual top 10 placing of his career, and the man who had once been the greatest Grand Tour rider of his generation faded away, his team boss Sylvan Adams branding him as &#8216;not value for money&#8217;. But Froome sees it from his own perspective.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"39-my-competitive-career-honestly-ended-when-i-hit-that-wall-in-2019-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;My competitive career honestly ended when I hit that wall in 2019&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18d54-b8e1-11f1-9f4c-b9ac4d7550ea\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I just felt so fortunate to be able to come back to the sport I love doing. I got into the sport quite late and I made it a goal to be racing into my 40s, and I don&#8217;t think anyone understood at the age of 36, when I had a big crash, why I would want to come back.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I honestly felt that had I not continued on and really given it everything I had to see if I could come back and win a fifth Tour de France, I would probably have spent the rest of my life questioning,&#8221; he says, speaking more hesitantly, emotion clear.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I can now retire satisfied that I did everything I could. It&#8217;s no longer a question in my mind. What if? What if? What if? I know. I did it. I realised I wasn&#8217;t able to get back to that level. That the level had changed. It wasn&#8217;t the same level as it was pre-crash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But I think it took a good two and a half, three years of chasing it for it to really sink in, that level where I was previously has changed, the sport\u2019s moved on. But I think my competitive career honestly ended when I hit that wall in 2019.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Back in the Surrey Hills, there might be some steep gradients and even some gravel on the lanes, but it&#8217;s a far cry from the Colle delle Finestre where Froome took the final win of his career, more than seven years before he finally retired. There, during the 2018 Giro d&#8217;Italia, he memorably obliterated the competition, in the pre-Poga\u010dar era, his attack was barely conceivable, planting confusion among his rivals and completing the then Team Sky rider&#8217;s Grand Tour clean sweep.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aab0a-b8f2-11f1-8e6f-cb56690d9345\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The best day on the bike for Froome <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-579aab78-b8f2-11f1-b5f6-a33faceb4af4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The one single, best day on the bike, hands down,&#8221; Froome asserts. &#8220;I think there was never one day that won me the Grand Tour like that did. I was almost four minutes down in GC, just rolling the dice and banking on something happening behind me, that they wouldn&#8217;t have collusion in chasing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew that my team had set a hard enough tempo on the Colle delle Finestre that people wouldn&#8217;t have domestiques left. So it would be between the rest of the guys who were up there on GC, who was going to pull, who was going to take responsibility, and it just so happened to work in my favour that they were kind of bickering amongst themselves. They had Carapaz and Amador sitting on, not pulling through. It was basically Pinot and Dumoulin doing all the work, and they probably were in a very negative mindset chasing me, whereas I was out front and I was just having the day of my life.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eee14-b8d7-11f1-8aae-052a58f86066\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-GrNbXvoxzAwcv4LQyLHyEZ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-GrNbXvoxzAwcv4LQyLHyEZ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5d2CksSry8bfgFKS33vwFi-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Owen Rogers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Staff Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>A recent addition to the Cyclingnews staff, Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, working as a freelancer covering the sport for various magazines and websites for more than 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>Initially concentrating mainly on the women&#8217;s sport, he has covered hundreds of race days on the ground and interviewed some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names.<\/p>\n<p>Living near Cambridge in the UK, when he&#8217;s not working you&#8217;ll find him either riding his bike or playing drums.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It didn&#8217;t even cross my mind to continue&#8217; racing after 2025 crash, says  recently retired Chris Froome<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was literally bleeding out&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome goes into detail on the injuries that &#8216;almost killed&#8217; him, and why he assumed everyone knew he&#8217;d retired<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has proven he&#8217;s the best of all time, I don&#8217;t see anyone challenging him for another two years \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s five-star Tour de France performance was his least stressful yet, and paved the way for his very promising successor &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Six conclusions from the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a \u2013 Mas returns Spain to glory, Van Aert at his versatile best, and the ripple effect of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From &#8216;freak&#8217; injury to another shot at that &#8216;elusive&#8217; win \u2013 Fred Wright finally finds feet at Pinarello-Q36.5 at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Two years ago I already said he&#8217;s going to surpass Eddy Merckx&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans pays tribute to Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Belgian racers avoided World Championships disaster in run-in at US border, Alec Segaert reveals<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike look to realise &#8216;untapped potential&#8217; of British rider Mark Donovan as first new signing for 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Luka Mezgec announces new role as sports director at top WorldTour team following imminent retirement after European Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m getting better each day after the crash&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar provides injury update at 2031 World Championships presentation<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From elbow surgery to fighting for victory in a matter of days \u2013 Just starting Tour de Langkawi &#8216;a bit of a bonus&#8217; for Josh Burnett<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike bring on Giorgia Bronzini as sports director<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Swiss climber Steffi H\u00e4berlin switches SD Worx for Canyon-SRAM with &#8216;more to unlock&#8217; \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ion Izagirre&#8217;s dream farewell in Il Lombardia wrecked by broken wrist in training accident<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I survived all of this&#8217; \u2013 Challengers fight back on queen stage of Tour de Langkawi but Lennart Jasch proves his GC fortitude<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and Ur\u0161ka \u017digart arrive home in Slovenia ahead of European Championships, despite injuries ruling them out of the racing<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll continue to race as we always do&#8217; \u2013 Brandon McNulty says new world champion status won&#8217;t change his racing approach<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar ends season after World Championships crash<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cycling has the fans, it just needs to monetise them \u2013 Can a new style of events and engagement help to solve cycling&#8217;s funding problem?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">North American crowds deliver, the juniors deserve better, and the Dutch get it so right \u2013\u00a0Our key takeaways from the Road World Championships 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We put our egos aside\u2019 \u2013 How the USA harnessed selfless teamwork to deliver Brandon McNulty to World Championships gold<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Yes, the favourite won, but the Women&#8217;s World Championships road race was a thriller where everyone was racing for the win<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our video review of the Factor Elara before it goes live on YouTube<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When we talk about legacy, things don&#8217;t happen just by a one-off event&#8217; \u2013 One year later, what is the lasting impact of the Kigali World Championships?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve got to make it count&#8217; \u2013 Toms Skuji\u0146\u0161 is a rider for the big occasions, and he&#8217;s ready aim high again at the World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Two years on from Muriel Furrer&#8217;s death, GPS trackers still haven&#8217;t been introduced to cycling \u2013 Why teams can&#8217;t agree, and what&#8217;s next<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Truly an exceptional memory&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Eddy Merckx and Genevieve Gambillon look back on 1974 World Championships wins as Montreal&#8217;s Mount Royal climb returns to centre stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wind tunnel tested: Who makes the fastest deep aero wide gravel wheels?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YuRSzikQHR26kNuToqNjvA-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YuRSzikQHR26kNuToqNjvA-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YuRSzikQHR26kNuToqNjvA-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Luka Mezgec announces new role as sports director at top WorldTour team following imminent retirement after European Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nChristopher Froome\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I would be probably just cracking a top 20&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome talks Tadej Poga\u010dar, the state of modern cycling, and his years in the wilderness post-injury<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nOwen Rogers <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-02T08:23:03Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n2 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The four-time Tour de France winner talks exclusively to Cyclingnews about his career, which ended a year ago<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eed10-b8d7-11f1-9b1a-1d6fe3633f4c\">It might be only a year since Chris Froome retired, but it\u2019s more than eight years since his most recent win, so it\u2019s easy to forget how he once dominated the Grand Tours. He won seven three-week races in the eight seasons between 2011 and 2018, as well as the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 three times and the Tour de Romandie twice. For a long stretch of the 2010s he was the sport\u2019s best stage racer, bar none.<\/p>\n<p>Despite that success and status, it\u2019s surprising how little we\u2019ve heard from the now-41-year-old in recent years. Yes, his career tailed off without a single victory after he joined Israel-Premier Tech in 2021, and the 2025 crash which ended his career a few months prematurely drew attention, but he was too busy recovering from life-threatening injuries to be speaking to the press. But other than a couple of interviews at the Tour de France last year, where he was working as an ambassador for \u0160koda, there\u2019s been little else until the last couple of weeks.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eed10-b8d7-11f1-9b1a-1d6fe3633f4c-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Doing brand ambassador work, as well as investing in a few cycling companies, is how Froome spends a lot of his time now. It&#8217;s at an event for two of these brands \u2013 a joint Eko\u00ef and Factor ride-out in south-west London \u2013 that <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> is reunited with the four-time Tour de France winner, the leafy Surrey Hills a far-cry away from the mountains of France and the intensity of his racing career.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-cf05317c-bc19-11f1-b5c6-05cd6a4a0985\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>&#8220;Your absolute goal is to get to that point where you can drive your opponents to think that they&#8217;re only racing for second place.&#8221;<\/p><figcaption><cite>Chris Froome<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d239ee10-be39-11f1-b5f7-655593dda53e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Socalising before the ride, there\u2019s a hint he likes life away from the spotlight. He&#8217;s relaxed, smiling and chatting with the other guests as if he was just any other cyclist. Other than his colourful and flashy Factor One bike \u2013 a brand he&#8217;s a shareholder in \u2013 he\u2019s no different on the road:the smiles, photos and chattiness continue, and he even pushes one of the slower punters up some of the climbs. He might be the star of the show, but for all intents and purposes, he\u2019s just one of the group today.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aa97a-b8f2-11f1-8ee8-21d771adf573\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dave Dodge Photography\/Eko\u00ef)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-807351dc-b8f0-11f1-93a9-81658dddeed2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m trying to get out once or twice a week at least,&#8221; he tells <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>after the ride. &#8220;Just with friends, keeping it social, or pro riders who are on their recovery days \u2013 I wouldn&#8217;t dare go with them on a normal training day anymore. That chapter is firmly closed for me, no temptation to want to get back into any competitive kind of racing or anything.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It didn&#8217;t even cross my mind to continue&#8217; racing after 2025 crash, says  recently retired Chris Froome<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was literally bleeding out&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome goes into detail on the injuries that &#8216;almost killed&#8217; him, and why he assumed everyone knew he&#8217;d retired<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Such is his low-key persona and the passing of time it\u2019s easy for to forget that he was to the 2010s what Tadej Poga\u010dar is to the 2020s, and for now at least he has more Grand Tour wins than the Slovenian. However, Froome is the first to baulk at the comparison.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"tadej-pogacar-is-39-writing-his-own-history-39-says-froome-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tadej Poga\u010dar is &#8216;writing his own history&#8217;, says Froome<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18b6a-b8e1-11f1-b13a-e770e71f74d4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What he&#8217;s doing is just is just phenomenal, nothing but admiration and respect,&#8221; Froome says of his Slovenian successor, winning many of the things Froome used to win, albeit in a totally different way and indeed era.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What he&#8217;s doing is not rewriting history, but he&#8217;s writing his own history in the sport. When the level is so high already, and the margins between everyone else are so slim he&#8217;s able to be head and shoulders above everyone else. What he&#8217;s doing in Classics is probably even more impressive to me than what he&#8217;s doing in the Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-502bddce-be3a-11f1-8b1a-7dcfec10f86a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More like this:<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-502bdea0-be3a-11f1-9e64-1b839d0dbbc7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I understand what training it took to be ready for races like the Tour de France or Vuelta and Giro, but I would write myself off from being competitive in one-day races. I understood that they&#8217;re almost like two different sports. So how he&#8217;s able to do both and literally just go from February until October at that level is\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Froome tails off before modestly admitting that, like Poga\u010dar, he too dominated the sport, and while he understands how fans might find such dominance boring, he doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has proven he&#8217;s the best of all time, I don&#8217;t see anyone challenging him for another two years \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We\u2019re witnessing something very special, and it&#8217;s a pleasure to watch him race. It must be extremely demoralising for his competitors, but as a bike rider, this is what you strive to become.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-790b08e2-b8f3-11f1-be12-4f30bb590518\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Chris Froome and Tadej Poga\u010dar both dominated the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-790b09a0-b8f3-11f1-be46-bbf6ad93fdee\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Your absolute goal is to get to that point where you can drive your opponents to think that they&#8217;re only racing for second place. He did that the first time they hit the mountains on stage six this year up Tourmalet, and he had almost three minutes on Vingegaard.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had huge respect for that, that that is 100% what I would try and do. First mountain top finish lay down the law, absolutely blow them away, and mentally you&#8217;ve already won the race. So, yeah, I would very much make that my goal in a lot of lot of these races.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Froome might come across as mild-mannered, but in talking about Poga\u010dar he offered an insight into the mentality which made him the Grand Tour great he was, but where would he be now?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, no, no, there&#8217;s no question. I would be probably just cracking a top 20 in the race now, even though it&#8217;s only six, seven years on from when I was winning,&#8221; he says with a rueful smile, citing improvements in tyres, bikes and aerodynamics, but emphasising nutrition.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I was winning the Tour de France we were probably fuelling not more than about 40-50 grams [of carbohydrates] an hour, and now it&#8217;s over over 100, 150 at times on the big stages. We&#8217;re not talking about a 20, 30% increase in fuelling, we\u2019re talking about a 300% increase.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"39-i-had-to-see-if-i-could-come-back-and-win-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;I had to see if I could come back and win\u2019<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18c64-b8e1-11f1-a1af-f173f35a0eb7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While Froome experienced plenty of success through his career, it was punctuated by two very serious crashes. Just last year, weeks before what should have been his final race, he crashed while on a training ride, suffering multiple internal injuries, ending his career, and in 2019 he lost control of his bike while sighting the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 time trial. As a result he knows something of how Poga\u010dar might feel after his crash on stage 8 of the recent Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, which ended the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider\u2019s race and season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it\u2019s really personal,&#8221; he says. &#8220;Thankfully for him, it wasn&#8217;t his error, it was one of those fluke accidents, so I wouldn&#8217;t imagine there would be any reason for him to have any fear after this. Some guys just have to see someone else crashing and they\u2019ll have fear for months down the line.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aaa1a-b8f2-11f1-9484-4bcc37a96136\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-579aaa88-b8f2-11f1-ae6b-1b9880936e87\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I was incredibly fortunate that after my 2019 crash, when I broke my leg in two places, that I didn&#8217;t have that fear. But I also don&#8217;t remember my crash, it was just erased from my memory, I must have hit my head hard enough, or it was enough of a shock that I don&#8217;t remember the crash at all. [Otherwise] I\u2019d be always second guessing myself, going into corners at high speed, thinking, &#8216;What if I mess this one up like I did before?\u2019&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That crash in June 2019 saw him not only forced out of that year\u2019s Tour de France, but it also marked the end of his career as a winner. He returned to racing the following February but failed to bag even a top 10 finish throughout 2020, his final season with what was by then Ineos Grenadiers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A move to Israel-Premier Tech proved no more successful, though he came oh so close to winning on Alpe d\u2019Huez during the 2022 Tour de France, eventually finishing third behind a rampant Tom Pidcock, a result he describes as good as a win. While he managed second place in the team time trial at the 2024 Tour du Rwanda, that day on the Alpe was the last individual top 10 placing of his career, and the man who had once been the greatest Grand Tour rider of his generation faded away, his team boss Sylvan Adams branding him as &#8216;not value for money&#8217;. But Froome sees it from his own perspective.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"39-my-competitive-career-honestly-ended-when-i-hit-that-wall-in-2019-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;My competitive career honestly ended when I hit that wall in 2019&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18d54-b8e1-11f1-9f4c-b9ac4d7550ea\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I just felt so fortunate to be able to come back to the sport I love doing. I got into the sport quite late and I made it a goal to be racing into my 40s, and I don&#8217;t think anyone understood at the age of 36, when I had a big crash, why I would want to come back.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I honestly felt that had I not continued on and really given it everything I had to see if I could come back and win a fifth Tour de France, I would probably have spent the rest of my life questioning,&#8221; he says, speaking more hesitantly, emotion clear.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I can now retire satisfied that I did everything I could. It&#8217;s no longer a question in my mind. What if? What if? What if? I know. I did it. I realised I wasn&#8217;t able to get back to that level. That the level had changed. It wasn&#8217;t the same level as it was pre-crash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But I think it took a good two and a half, three years of chasing it for it to really sink in, that level where I was previously has changed, the sport\u2019s moved on. But I think my competitive career honestly ended when I hit that wall in 2019.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Back in the Surrey Hills, there might be some steep gradients and even some gravel on the lanes, but it&#8217;s a far cry from the Colle delle Finestre where Froome took the final win of his career, more than seven years before he finally retired. There, during the 2018 Giro d&#8217;Italia, he memorably obliterated the competition, in the pre-Poga\u010dar era, his attack was barely conceivable, planting confusion among his rivals and completing the then Team Sky rider&#8217;s Grand Tour clean sweep.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aab0a-b8f2-11f1-8e6f-cb56690d9345\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The best day on the bike for Froome <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-579aab78-b8f2-11f1-b5f6-a33faceb4af4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The one single, best day on the bike, hands down,&#8221; Froome asserts. &#8220;I think there was never one day that won me the Grand Tour like that did. I was almost four minutes down in GC, just rolling the dice and banking on something happening behind me, that they wouldn&#8217;t have collusion in chasing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew that my team had set a hard enough tempo on the Colle delle Finestre that people wouldn&#8217;t have domestiques left. So it would be between the rest of the guys who were up there on GC, who was going to pull, who was going to take responsibility, and it just so happened to work in my favour that they were kind of bickering amongst themselves. They had Carapaz and Amador sitting on, not pulling through. It was basically Pinot and Dumoulin doing all the work, and they probably were in a very negative mindset chasing me, whereas I was out front and I was just having the day of my life.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eee14-b8d7-11f1-8aae-052a58f86066\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-GrNbXvoxzAwcv4LQyLHyEZ\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-GrNbXvoxzAwcv4LQyLHyEZ slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio slice-container-authorBio\" id=\"slice-container-authorBio\" data-component-name=\"Slice:AuthorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-author-bio-max-height=\"250\" data-author-bio-read-more=\"Read more\" data-author-bio-read-less=\"Read less\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5d2CksSry8bfgFKS33vwFi-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">\n<p>Owen Rogers<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Staff Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>A recent addition to the Cyclingnews staff, Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, working as a freelancer covering the sport for various magazines and websites for more than 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>Initially concentrating mainly on the women&#8217;s sport, he has covered hundreds of race days on the ground and interviewed some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names.<\/p>\n<p>Living near Cambridge in the UK, when he&#8217;s not working you&#8217;ll find him either riding his bike or playing drums.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It didn&#8217;t even cross my mind to continue&#8217; racing after 2025 crash, says  recently retired Chris Froome<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was literally bleeding out&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome goes into detail on the injuries that &#8216;almost killed&#8217; him, and why he assumed everyone knew he&#8217;d retired<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has proven he&#8217;s the best of all time, I don&#8217;t see anyone challenging him for another two years \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hR7NGbgjrJkexsJ9woJGzc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve shown I deserve to dream&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel says second place in Tour de France confirms belief as he pursues future Grand Tour victories<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SxFWtYXjE9RfzEwVnxSDYU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s five-star Tour de France performance was his least stressful yet, and paved the way for his very promising successor &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/t5KE3Y4iQMKXqXsbuKMNyg-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Six conclusions from the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a \u2013 Mas returns Spain to glory, Van Aert at his versatile best, and the ripple effect of Poga\u010dar&#8217;s crash<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6rU8a7Ydjdz6pNiY9xMCK6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From &#8216;freak&#8217; injury to another shot at that &#8216;elusive&#8217; win \u2013 Fred Wright finally finds feet at Pinarello-Q36.5 at Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m4oNfQpmRK3i8ESu9dU5We-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Two years ago I already said he&#8217;s going to surpass Eddy Merckx&#8217; &#8211; Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans pays tribute to Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EtbMB5jaf5MHzqkcbpaHPW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Belgian racers avoided World Championships disaster in run-in at US border, Alec Segaert reveals<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7aGnmEPpe7zMXvzfBM8BdX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike look to realise &#8216;untapped potential&#8217; of British rider Mark Donovan as first new signing for 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JgunE23CEoUkKKphnmXEfE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Luka Mezgec announces new role as sports director at top WorldTour team following imminent retirement after European Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ko3ErXkPMfF4oHGgLCTsBf-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;m getting better each day after the crash&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar provides injury update at 2031 World Championships presentation<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YkjapLkZwUBAEnwe99SYuh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From elbow surgery to fighting for victory in a matter of days \u2013 Just starting Tour de Langkawi &#8216;a bit of a bonus&#8217; for Josh Burnett<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WJDQuAmDphhncKiaTuBakZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Transfers<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Visma-Lease a Bike bring on Giorgia Bronzini as sports director<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tbAh5yhaSpVRnAFoYQV6nU-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Swiss climber Steffi H\u00e4berlin switches SD Worx for Canyon-SRAM with &#8216;more to unlock&#8217; \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uRd5Tanu5brongoNX5SeD4-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ion Izagirre&#8217;s dream farewell in Il Lombardia wrecked by broken wrist in training accident<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Mo77MgRxV4hLWGJ7QvRfGD-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I survived all of this&#8217; \u2013 Challengers fight back on queen stage of Tour de Langkawi but Lennart Jasch proves his GC fortitude<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PEA5wWwrBoVG9bXmgAAedN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar and Ur\u0161ka \u017digart arrive home in Slovenia ahead of European Championships, despite injuries ruling them out of the racing<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iMSHPWbKJ739S2ZpxRUcc7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll continue to race as we always do&#8217; \u2013 Brandon McNulty says new world champion status won&#8217;t change his racing approach<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/SJurxsWAuX3LHNr8ZPYhve-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar ends season after World Championships crash<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/veQBJ9LshPTtADSaxT7WmB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Cycling has the fans, it just needs to monetise them \u2013 Can a new style of events and engagement help to solve cycling&#8217;s funding problem?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQxDTX3Tn2awqXyRcqXphD-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">North American crowds deliver, the juniors deserve better, and the Dutch get it so right \u2013\u00a0Our key takeaways from the Road World Championships 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/GDzNnnhzKhoM5Tnjtc4LNQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We put our egos aside\u2019 \u2013 How the USA harnessed selfless teamwork to deliver Brandon McNulty to World Championships gold<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hBKXkBsi7rwycedA57aLmS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Yes, the favourite won, but the Women&#8217;s World Championships road race was a thriller where everyone was racing for the win<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c34s4THws7pNeEW8zQrnMQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early access: Watch our video review of the Factor Elara before it goes live on YouTube<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/i57Z8fJ5j2mEA8J94MtMPo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;When we talk about legacy, things don&#8217;t happen just by a one-off event&#8217; \u2013 One year later, what is the lasting impact of the Kigali World Championships?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sxjZyPzXUPWQCXYsdn2MYa-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve got to make it count&#8217; \u2013 Toms Skuji\u0146\u0161 is a rider for the big occasions, and he&#8217;s ready aim high again at the World Championships<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3rgQr6SG8Zvp7Ds3RUtNQj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Two years on from Muriel Furrer&#8217;s death, GPS trackers still haven&#8217;t been introduced to cycling \u2013 Why teams can&#8217;t agree, and what&#8217;s next<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rFr6udvZZtMycwvDUBJtkX-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8gb8L9T2sRorvqQofYmfLW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Truly an exceptional memory&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Eddy Merckx and Genevieve Gambillon look back on 1974 World Championships wins as Montreal&#8217;s Mount Royal climb returns to centre stage<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TB47WbpbjEqfJMDHmyVBig-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Wheels &amp; Tyres<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Wind tunnel tested: Who makes the fastest deep aero wide gravel wheels?<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YuRSzikQHR26kNuToqNjvA-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YuRSzikQHR26kNuToqNjvA-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YuRSzikQHR26kNuToqNjvA-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YuRSzikQHR26kNuToqNjvA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Brandon McNulty&#8217;s new world champion&#8217;s bike is glittery, fun, and carries the torch from Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s reign<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I wasn&#8217;t confident at all&#8217; \u2013 Third time&#8217;s a charm for Canadian sprinter Riley Pickrell as he takes first victory in over a year at Tour de Langkawi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Luka Mezgec announces new role as sports director at top WorldTour team following imminent retirement after European Championships<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nChristopher Froome\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;I would be probably just cracking a top 20&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome talks Tadej Poga\u010dar, the state of modern cycling, and his years in the wilderness post-injury<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nOwen Rogers <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-10-02T08:23:03Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n2 October 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">The four-time Tour de France winner talks exclusively to Cyclingnews about his career, which ended a year ago<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eed10-b8d7-11f1-9b1a-1d6fe3633f4c\">It might be only a year since Chris Froome retired, but it\u2019s more than eight years since his most recent win, so it\u2019s easy to forget how he once dominated the Grand Tours. He won seven three-week races in the eight seasons between 2011 and 2018, as well as the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 three times and the Tour de Romandie twice. For a long stretch of the 2010s he was the sport\u2019s best stage racer, bar none.<\/p>\n<p>Despite that success and status, it\u2019s surprising how little we\u2019ve heard from the now-41-year-old in recent years. Yes, his career tailed off without a single victory after he joined Israel-Premier Tech in 2021, and the 2025 crash which ended his career a few months prematurely drew attention, but he was too busy recovering from life-threatening injuries to be speaking to the press. But other than a couple of interviews at the Tour de France last year, where he was working as an ambassador for \u0160koda, there\u2019s been little else until the last couple of weeks.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eed10-b8d7-11f1-9b1a-1d6fe3633f4c-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Doing brand ambassador work, as well as investing in a few cycling companies, is how Froome spends a lot of his time now. It&#8217;s at an event for two of these brands \u2013 a joint Eko\u00ef and Factor ride-out in south-west London \u2013 that <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> is reunited with the four-time Tour de France winner, the leafy Surrey Hills a far-cry away from the mountains of France and the intensity of his racing career.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-cf05317c-bc19-11f1-b5c6-05cd6a4a0985\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>&#8220;Your absolute goal is to get to that point where you can drive your opponents to think that they&#8217;re only racing for second place.&#8221;<\/p><figcaption><cite>Chris Froome<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d239ee10-be39-11f1-b5f7-655593dda53e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Socalising before the ride, there\u2019s a hint he likes life away from the spotlight. He&#8217;s relaxed, smiling and chatting with the other guests as if he was just any other cyclist. Other than his colourful and flashy Factor One bike \u2013 a brand he&#8217;s a shareholder in \u2013 he\u2019s no different on the road:the smiles, photos and chattiness continue, and he even pushes one of the slower punters up some of the climbs. He might be the star of the show, but for all intents and purposes, he\u2019s just one of the group today.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aa97a-b8f2-11f1-8ee8-21d771adf573\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CyrFHiQpMjaB9RrXKffjQh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dave Dodge Photography\/Eko\u00ef)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-807351dc-b8f0-11f1-93a9-81658dddeed2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I\u2019m trying to get out once or twice a week at least,&#8221; he tells <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>after the ride. &#8220;Just with friends, keeping it social, or pro riders who are on their recovery days \u2013 I wouldn&#8217;t dare go with them on a normal training day anymore. That chapter is firmly closed for me, no temptation to want to get back into any competitive kind of racing or anything.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E8AXPMkLUfaHVjKmSX5ZWg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It didn&#8217;t even cross my mind to continue&#8217; racing after 2025 crash, says  recently retired Chris Froome<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BCTxUxTwJbs3VSzc6Cejp7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I was literally bleeding out&#8217; \u2013 Chris Froome goes into detail on the injuries that &#8216;almost killed&#8217; him, and why he assumed everyone knew he&#8217;d retired<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NgHtE9nHTzeHRxDKwjnEE8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">\u2018I\u2019m not thinking about any history, clubbing, or whatever&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France winner Tadej Poga\u010dar has his name in lights but keeps his feet on the ground<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Such is his low-key persona and the passing of time it\u2019s easy for to forget that he was to the 2010s what Tadej Poga\u010dar is to the 2020s, and for now at least he has more Grand Tour wins than the Slovenian. However, Froome is the first to baulk at the comparison.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"tadej-pogacar-is-39-writing-his-own-history-39-says-froome-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Tadej Poga\u010dar is &#8216;writing his own history&#8217;, says Froome<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18b6a-b8e1-11f1-b13a-e770e71f74d4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What he&#8217;s doing is just is just phenomenal, nothing but admiration and respect,&#8221; Froome says of his Slovenian successor, winning many of the things Froome used to win, albeit in a totally different way and indeed era.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;What he&#8217;s doing is not rewriting history, but he&#8217;s writing his own history in the sport. When the level is so high already, and the margins between everyone else are so slim he&#8217;s able to be head and shoulders above everyone else. What he&#8217;s doing in Classics is probably even more impressive to me than what he&#8217;s doing in the Grand Tours.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-502bddce-be3a-11f1-8b1a-7dcfec10f86a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More like this:<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in your passport and your body age&#8217; \u2013 Why are cycling&#8217;s veteran pros refusing to slow down?<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>&#8216;No unrealistic expectations or unnecessary limitations&#8217; &#8211; Kate Courtney is diving head-first into the unknown<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-502bdea0-be3a-11f1-9e64-1b839d0dbbc7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I understand what training it took to be ready for races like the Tour de France or Vuelta and Giro, but I would write myself off from being competitive in one-day races. I understood that they&#8217;re almost like two different sports. So how he&#8217;s able to do both and literally just go from February until October at that level is\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Froome tails off before modestly admitting that, like Poga\u010dar, he too dominated the sport, and while he understands how fans might find such dominance boring, he doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WgsG6RdPjcVNMQv9BFAcJa-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tadej Poga\u010dar has proven he&#8217;s the best of all time, I don&#8217;t see anyone challenging him for another two years \u2013 Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CSGdgiHdXY9V3zcw7oFCE6-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QxmdFtVuFPJWGJZdfpFsUe-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I don&#8217;t want to say I&#8217;ve stopped caring but I&#8217;ve learned to stop beating myself up&#8217; \u2013\u00a0Quinn Simmons takes new mindset into pursuit of career-defining Tour de France stage win<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We\u2019re witnessing something very special, and it&#8217;s a pleasure to watch him race. It must be extremely demoralising for his competitors, but as a bike rider, this is what you strive to become.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-790b08e2-b8f3-11f1-be12-4f30bb590518\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bHah2BjHRAMBDaw4vnZ2kS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Chris Froome and Tadej Poga\u010dar both dominated the Tour de France <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-790b09a0-b8f3-11f1-be46-bbf6ad93fdee\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Your absolute goal is to get to that point where you can drive your opponents to think that they&#8217;re only racing for second place. He did that the first time they hit the mountains on stage six this year up Tourmalet, and he had almost three minutes on Vingegaard.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I had huge respect for that, that that is 100% what I would try and do. First mountain top finish lay down the law, absolutely blow them away, and mentally you&#8217;ve already won the race. So, yeah, I would very much make that my goal in a lot of lot of these races.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Froome might come across as mild-mannered, but in talking about Poga\u010dar he offered an insight into the mentality which made him the Grand Tour great he was, but where would he be now?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;No, no, no, there&#8217;s no question. I would be probably just cracking a top 20 in the race now, even though it&#8217;s only six, seven years on from when I was winning,&#8221; he says with a rueful smile, citing improvements in tyres, bikes and aerodynamics, but emphasising nutrition.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;When I was winning the Tour de France we were probably fuelling not more than about 40-50 grams [of carbohydrates] an hour, and now it&#8217;s over over 100, 150 at times on the big stages. We&#8217;re not talking about a 20, 30% increase in fuelling, we\u2019re talking about a 300% increase.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"39-i-had-to-see-if-i-could-come-back-and-win-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;I had to see if I could come back and win\u2019<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18c64-b8e1-11f1-a1af-f173f35a0eb7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While Froome experienced plenty of success through his career, it was punctuated by two very serious crashes. Just last year, weeks before what should have been his final race, he crashed while on a training ride, suffering multiple internal injuries, ending his career, and in 2019 he lost control of his bike while sighting the Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 time trial. As a result he knows something of how Poga\u010dar might feel after his crash on stage 8 of the recent Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a, which ended the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider\u2019s race and season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I think it\u2019s really personal,&#8221; he says. &#8220;Thankfully for him, it wasn&#8217;t his error, it was one of those fluke accidents, so I wouldn&#8217;t imagine there would be any reason for him to have any fear after this. Some guys just have to see someone else crashing and they\u2019ll have fear for months down the line.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aaa1a-b8f2-11f1-9484-4bcc37a96136\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xVRpVRnvnK5uJB63JaMjfi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-579aaa88-b8f2-11f1-ae6b-1b9880936e87\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I was incredibly fortunate that after my 2019 crash, when I broke my leg in two places, that I didn&#8217;t have that fear. But I also don&#8217;t remember my crash, it was just erased from my memory, I must have hit my head hard enough, or it was enough of a shock that I don&#8217;t remember the crash at all. [Otherwise] I\u2019d be always second guessing myself, going into corners at high speed, thinking, &#8216;What if I mess this one up like I did before?\u2019&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">That crash in June 2019 saw him not only forced out of that year\u2019s Tour de France, but it also marked the end of his career as a winner. He returned to racing the following February but failed to bag even a top 10 finish throughout 2020, his final season with what was by then Ineos Grenadiers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A move to Israel-Premier Tech proved no more successful, though he came oh so close to winning on Alpe d\u2019Huez during the 2022 Tour de France, eventually finishing third behind a rampant Tom Pidcock, a result he describes as good as a win. While he managed second place in the team time trial at the 2024 Tour du Rwanda, that day on the Alpe was the last individual top 10 placing of his career, and the man who had once been the greatest Grand Tour rider of his generation faded away, his team boss Sylvan Adams branding him as &#8216;not value for money&#8217;. But Froome sees it from his own perspective.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"39-my-competitive-career-honestly-ended-when-i-hit-that-wall-in-2019-39-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8216;My competitive career honestly ended when I hit that wall in 2019&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d5f18d54-b8e1-11f1-9f4c-b9ac4d7550ea\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I just felt so fortunate to be able to come back to the sport I love doing. I got into the sport quite late and I made it a goal to be racing into my 40s, and I don&#8217;t think anyone understood at the age of 36, when I had a big crash, why I would want to come back.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I honestly felt that had I not continued on and really given it everything I had to see if I could come back and win a fifth Tour de France, I would probably have spent the rest of my life questioning,&#8221; he says, speaking more hesitantly, emotion clear.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I can now retire satisfied that I did everything I could. It&#8217;s no longer a question in my mind. What if? What if? What if? I know. I did it. I realised I wasn&#8217;t able to get back to that level. That the level had changed. It wasn&#8217;t the same level as it was pre-crash.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But I think it took a good two and a half, three years of chasing it for it to really sink in, that level where I was previously has changed, the sport\u2019s moved on. But I think my competitive career honestly ended when I hit that wall in 2019.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Back in the Surrey Hills, there might be some steep gradients and even some gravel on the lanes, but it&#8217;s a far cry from the Colle delle Finestre where Froome took the final win of his career, more than seven years before he finally retired. There, during the 2018 Giro d&#8217;Italia, he memorably obliterated the competition, in the pre-Poga\u010dar era, his attack was barely conceivable, planting confusion among his rivals and completing the then Team Sky rider&#8217;s Grand Tour clean sweep.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-579aab0a-b8f2-11f1-8e6f-cb56690d9345\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7wRwJGXwViyyUBPhPVfdNY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The best day on the bike for Froome <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-579aab78-b8f2-11f1-b5f6-a33faceb4af4\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The one single, best day on the bike, hands down,&#8221; Froome asserts. &#8220;I think there was never one day that won me the Grand Tour like that did. I was almost four minutes down in GC, just rolling the dice and banking on something happening behind me, that they wouldn&#8217;t have collusion in chasing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew that my team had set a hard enough tempo on the Colle delle Finestre that people wouldn&#8217;t have domestiques left. So it would be between the rest of the guys who were up there on GC, who was going to pull, who was going to take responsibility, and it just so happened to work in my favour that they were kind of bickering amongst themselves. They had Carapaz and Amador sitting on, not pulling through. It was basically Pinot and Dumoulin doing all the work, and they probably were in a very negative mindset chasing me, whereas I was out front and I was just having the day of my life.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-af7eee14-b8d7-11f1-8aae-052a58f86066\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/i-would-be-probably-just-cracking-a-top-20-chris-froome-talks-tadej-pogacar-the-state-of-modern-cycling-and-his-years-in-the-wilderness-post-injury\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dreVmXvfTeMWx2XTtpWqE3-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 &#8216;I&#8217;m getting better each day after the crash&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar provides injury update at 2031 World Championships presentation 2 From a &#8216;jaded&#8217; retirement to a Montreal do-over \u2013 Mike Woods is bowing out with a fairytale home World Championships appearance 3 &#8216;There are two kinds of ages: the number in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[68],"class_list":["post-2176259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2176259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2176259"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2176259\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2176259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2176259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2176259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}