Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has officially announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 41. This decision follows a serious crash in August 2025, where Froome collided with a road sign, leading to multiple injuries, including five broken ribs and a collapsed lung.
Froome's wife revealed that during surgery, doctors discovered a pericardial rupture, an injury that required immediate repair. "Unfortunately, there was that crash last summer - that was not the way I wanted it to end. But even then, I knew it was over," Froome told Belgian broadcaster Sporza.
Froome's Unmatched Achievements in Cycling
The Kenyan-born cyclist retires as one of the most decorated athletes in the sport, having won a total of seven Grand Tours with Team Sky (now Team Ineos). His victories include:
- Tour de France: 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
- Giro d'Italia: 2018
- Vuelta a España: 2011, 2017
Froome also earned two Olympic bronze medals in the individual time trial at the 2012 and 2016 Games, and was made an OBE in 2015 for his contributions to cycling.
Memorable Moments from Froome’s Career
One of Froome's most iconic moments occurred during the 2016 Tour de France. After a collision with a motorbike left his bicycle unrideable, he ran approximately one kilometer towards the finish line, showcasing his determination. He later remarked, "I told myself, 'I don’t have a bike and my car is five minutes behind with another bike - it’s too far away, I’m going to run a bit.'"
In 2017, Froome faced an anti-doping case due to elevated levels of the asthma medication salbutamol in his urine. The World Anti-Doping Agency later confirmed that there was no breach of regulations.
Struggles and Departure from Team Ineos
Froome parted ways with Team Ineos in 2020 when they chose not to renew his contract. He joined Israel-Premier Tech but struggled to regain his previous form after a serious crash in 2019 that left him with multiple injuries. His last notable performance was a distant third place on stage 12 of the 2022 Tour de France.
Despite his struggles, Froome remains a prominent figure in cycling history, known for his strategic racing and resilience. After failing to qualify for the past three Tour de France races, he was released from his team in November 2022.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC Sport. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
