Chris Froome inspired by evergreen Tom Brady in dream to win fifth Tour de France

Froome, 35, believes he can keep racing into his 40s

Sports Staff
Tuesday 23 February 2021 04:32 EST
Comments
Chris FRoome is currently at the UAE Cycling Tour
Chris FRoome is currently at the UAE Cycling Tour (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Chris Froome will look to put mind over matter as he bids for a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title this year and the 35-year-old says he wants to join the growing ranks of athletes competing at the top level late into their careers.

Froome said he could see himself racing into his 40s and pointed to the example of Tampa Bay's 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady, who won his seventh Super Bowl crown this month.

"It is going to be a huge ask but with four titles, I've come so close to the record. There's nothing holding me back any more," Froome told the Guardian. "I'd love to give it my best shot. A lot of it is mind over matter so I hope the body will follow."

Froome, who won the Tour in 2013 and from 2015-17, was not part of the Tour last year after being left out of the Ineos-Grenadiers squad but is expected to line up with new team Israel Start-Up Nation. He said he hoped to compete at the highest level for at least another five years.

"We are seeing more and more examples in professional sport with the most recent being Tom Brady, which was an incredible story," he said.

Froome spent more than three weeks in hospital after breaking his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs in a high-speed crash in 2019 but the Briton has made a full recovery.

"I am in no real pain now," he said. "I get a little discomfort when I sleep on my right side and some burning from where I had a plate inserted but it doesn't affect me on the bike."

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in