Chris Froome
Chris Froome has emerged as one of Great Britain’s top road riders, having joined the British Cycling Olympic Podium Programme in 2011, a year in which he announced himself on the world stage. He has further enhanced his reputation with a stunning performance in the 2012 Tour de France, completing the British 1-2 by finishing just behind Bradley Wiggins. He followed this up with a brilliant Bronze medal in the individual Time Trial.
Fast facts:
- Chris was born in Nairobi, Kenya
- He's variously known as Froomey, Froome Dog and Froome Dawg
- Chris rode for the Kenyan Cycling Federation until 2008
Having started in mountain biking, Chris began road racing in South Africa, specialising as a climber. He turned professional in 2007 with the South African Team Konica Minolta but the following season moved to Europe and competed in his first Tour de France finishing 84th.
Chris joined Team Sky in 2011 and was described by the management as ‘a rough diamond, in need of shaping and polishing.’ The Kenyan-born Brit had his first major breakthrough when he produced one of the greatest performances ever by a British rider in a Grand Tour in the Vuelta a Espana. Chris finished second overall in a three week period that included a series of wonderful performances, like a last-gasp stage win on Pena Cabarga.
Froome followed up his success in Spain by playing an integral role in Great Britain’s UCI Road World Championships squad which helped Mark Cavendish to world championship glory, before ending his season with third place overall in the Tour of Beijing.
The early part of 2012 saw Chris sidelined with illness before he helped Bradley Wiggins to victory in the Criterium du Dauphine, and in the process finished fourth himself. Chris continued this form in the Tour de France, exceeding all expectation to finish second overall and complete an unprecedented 1-2 for Team Sky. With strong performances in the time trials, it was his displays in the mountain stages that really showed the world that Chris is a potential future winner.
Chris was part of the five man Road Race team that performed brilliantly at the Olympics but couldn't quite manage to make a bunch sprint for Mark Cavendish to try and win Gold. He more than made up for the dissapointment by winning a Bronze medal in the individual Time Trial.
