Christopher Clive Froome, born on 20 May 1985 in Nairobi, Kenya, emerged as a dominant force in professional road cycling. Between 2011 and 2018, he secured seven Grand Tour victories, including four Tour de France titles, two wins at the Vuelta a España, and a victory at the 2018 Giro d'Italia, establishing himself as a significant figure in the sport.
Early Development and Amateur Transition
Raised in Kenya and South Africa, Froome spent his formative years engaging with cycling alongside mentor David Kinjah. He attended St. John's College in Johannesburg and studied economics at the University of Johannesburg before dedicating his focus to racing. Representing Kenya, he participated in the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the Road World Championships, an experience he secured by impersonating the Kenyan cycling federation president to gain entry to European events.
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Froome turned professional at age 22 with the South African team Konica Minolta in 2007. Following a stint with the Union Cycliste Internationale World Cycling Centre, he joined Barloworld in 2008 and relocated to Italy. By 2010, he transitioned to Team Sky, where he refined his climbing specialism. His breakthrough arrived during the 2011 Vuelta a España, where he was retrospectively declared the winner, marking the first time a British cyclist claimed a Grand Tour event.
Grand Tour Supremacy
After serving as a crucial support rider for Bradley Wiggins in 2012, Froome claimed his first Tour de France win in 2013. He defended his title in 2015, 2016, and 2017. His 2018 Giro d'Italia win made him the first rider to simultaneously hold the jerseys for all three Grand Tours since 1983. Throughout this period, he earned multiple accolades, including the Vélo d'Or in 2013, 2015, and 2017, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2015.
Career Challenges and Later Years
A severe training crash in 2019 resulted in significant injuries, including a broken pelvis and femur, which disrupted his trajectory. Although he underwent surgery and returned to professional competition, he struggled to regain his previous competitive standing. Beyond physical setbacks, his career was marked by public scrutiny regarding his use of anti-doping regulation loopholes, a topic that intensified following sanctions against his former coach in 2023.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 May 1985, Nairobi
- Citizenship: Kenya and United Kingdom
- Grand Tour wins: 7
- Olympic medals: 2 bronze (2012, 2016)
- Professional start: 2007, Team Konica Minolta
- Award: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (2015)
- Education: St. John's College, Johannesburg
Questions readers ask
How many Tours de France has Chris Froome won?
He has won four editions of the Tour de France, in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Did Froome represent Kenya professionally?
Yes, he represented Kenya at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and World Championships before switching to a British licence in 2008.
Achievements
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- Competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- 2017 UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race
