Chris Froome he has crossed the threshold of 37 years. In 2022 he raced for 62 days and only in one of these did he seem to be, even remotely, that rider capable of entering the small circle of winners of all the grand tours., taking home 7 (4 Tours, 2 Vueltas, one Giro). A champion whose upward trend was halted on that cursed 12th June 2019, with that fall at Dauphiné Tour right before the time trial, when his body literally shattered like a crystal glass.
Recovering, even just to walk and then get on a bike, was a superhuman effort, but now Froome is there, riding year after year in the middle of the pack, often even at the back. Many people think deep down: "Why would he do this? Anyway, by now..." It is precisely that now that gives the British man the strength to persist, that tells him not to give up because his beautiful story cannot end like this.
That day at Alpe d'Huez
We were talking about a day in 2022, a special day. Alpe d'Huez Day at the Tour de France. Those who were there say that seeing him pass by seemed as if the hands of time had suddenly turned back., when Froome put on a show in front of everyone. "That was the best day in three years," says the Briton, "because I felt reborn, I was myself again."
That day Froome caught up with the main breakaway on the ramps of the Galibier, took the Croix de Fer by the horns and fought on the Alpe d'Huez, finishing behind only the winner. pidcock and I mean. The Froome of the good old days had returned, for a fleeting moment.
Thinking back, Froome, interviewed by Cyclingnews, keeps his feet firmly on the ground in judging the season which certainly cannot depend on a single day: «It was a year that started badly and ended even worse. Another year slipped away, but it left me with a glimmer of hope and I cling to that with all my strength.I had started the Tour as preparation for the Vuelta, my real goal after having so many physical problems at the beginning of the season. I started to feel like myself again, like I hadn't in a long time. Then, suddenly, Covid arrived. I'm asthmatic, and that damned disease left me with repercussions that I carried with me for the rest of the season.
Everything ruined by Covid
«Alpe d'Huez was an important moment for me. I fought, as I hadn't been able to in a long time. My legs responded. I was doing better than I thought, considering that for me it was preparation for another grand tour."
That withdrawal interrupted the dream and Froome is aware of it: "I started to arrive at the back of the group again. The Vuelta was going the opposite way to what I had hoped, but just thinking about Alpe d'Huez I said every day that I had to get to the finish line, accumulate kilometers and effort because they would be useful to me laterI was already looking ahead to 2023, and I do so now, aware that there are aspects of this unfortunate year that give me hope.
Mind already set on 2023
"First of all, it was the first year since 2019 that I didn't feel any effects from Roanne's fall. Then there's the fact that before Covid, I had reached a level I hadn't reached in three years. I'd like to start from there, but there's a lot to do."
Froome has already resumed his training and looks to 2023 with optimism, «provided that the entire first part is an uninterrupted period of training and competitions without ailments, illnesses, injuriesThen I want to pursue targeted goals, not huge ones, linked to partial victories in stage races, fight for some rankings, in short, start again from targets that are within reach."
Joining the “club of 4”
Given his past, why then continue pursuing goals that would add nothing to his fantastic career? First of all, because every result, especially a victory, would have the sweet taste of redemption from fate. Then because in his heart there always lives the dream of becoming part of the "Club of 4", those who have won the Tour de France 5 times (Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault, Indurain). He did it four times, the last one in 2017. Now it's a different kind of cycling, the one of the terrible guys, but Froome is still convinced he can do it.
«Many in my place would have given up, they would have had enough, satisfied already with the fact of having returned to normalityBut not me, I'm convinced I can do it. I love this job too much, I love the journey that leads to a victory, made up of training, the wait, the race, its evolution, that instant joy when you know you've won. Always trying to get the best out of myself. I feel like a new professional, but with the experience of 13 years of career. I'll start from here..."
