Chris Froome: A Cycling Legend

Although born in Kenya, Chris Froome is a British national and has won the Tour de France four times, the Vuelta a España twice and the Giro de Italia once.

Although born in Kenya, Chris Froome is the son of British parents and is, therefore, a British citizen. In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about this cycling legend, one of the most successful people in the sport.

Chris Froome: the beginning

Christopher Clive Froome was born in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1985. His parents, originally from Brighton, England, had settled there for work. It was in Kenya that he began to take his first steps in cycling, starting off in mountain biking.

When he was 16 years old, his family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, and he switched to road cycling. He represented Kenya at two Under-23 championships, but in 2008 he adopted British nationality. That same year he was selected by Great Britain to take part in the world championships in Varese, Italy.

Chris Froome goes professional

In 2011, he started to become a prominent figure in international cycling and almost the Vuelta a España, coming second. However, eight years later, he was named the winner when, Juanjo Cobo, had his title removed for doping.

The following year, he came second in the overall classification of the Tour de France and won bronze at the London Olympics in the time trial.

A year later, he would take the most important prize in world cycling, the Tour de France. He started as a favorite and finished four minutes ahead of the Colombian Nairo Quintana.

Several falls in the 2014 Tour de France forced him to abandon the race. However, he won the Combativity award overall in the Vuelta a España. In 2015, he won his second Tour de France and the polka-dot jersey for the Mountains classification.

The following year, he took his third Tour de France, winning two stages and finishing four minutes fast than second place. He also came second in the Vuelta a España and in 2016, he took bronze again in the time trial at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Consolidation and injury: Chris Froome

The year 2017 was undoubtedly a very important one in Chris Froome’s career. Not only did he win the Tour de France for the fourth time but also won his first Vuelta a España.

In the Tour de France, he had to duel with Spanish Mikel Landa and didn’t take a single stage. Racing in the Vuelta a España, he had to vie for first place with the Italian, Vicenzo Nibali and finished two minutes and 15 seconds ahead of him overall.

In 2018, Froome won the Giro D’Italia. This would make him part of a small group of cyclists to have won the three great tours. This small group includes the Belgian, Eddy Merckx, the French, Bernard Hinault, and Jacques Anquetil, the Spanish, Alberto Contador, and the Italians, Felice Gimondi and Vincenzo Nibali.

Last year was not a good one for Chris Froome. He suffered a serious injury during a time trial, breaking his right femur and elbow and several ribs. This kept him completely off the track. However, he still had good news in 2019 after being declared the winner of 2011 Vuelta a España.

A legend who is still competing

Chris Froome is considered a cycling legend, although his career isn’t yet over. He’s a strong athlete in the stage race, one of the best climbers ever, and one of the greatest time trialists in history.

In his professional career, he has won more than 60 titles, including the Tour de France four times, the Vuelta a España twice, and one Giro d’Italia. He also has 14 stage victories in the Grand Tours (seven in the Tour de France, five in the Vuelta a España, and two in the Giro d’Italia) and four podium finishes (twice second in place in Spain, the second place in France, and the third place in Italy).