Brit sits pretty in the Tour record books
Not even the round of boos that greeted Chris Froome at the Marseille Orange Velodrome as he charged to the line, mere metres from French hope Romain Bardet’s back wheel, could wipe the smile off his face.
Froome has cut a cautious figure in the three weeks since the Tour de France’s start in Düsseldorf, but on Saturday, with his fourth yellow jersey secured, he could finally take some pleasure in it.
Froome’s win elevates him into a category of one. He has raised himself above Greg LeMond, Louison Bobet and Philippe Thys and brought himself within touching distance of Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain.
“It’s a huge honour just to be mentioned in the same sentence as the greats of the Tour de France,” he said.
Given the Brit is 32 — still prime GC rider age — a fifth or even a sixth Tour title seems possible, though staff at Sky weren’t keen to say so on Saturday in Marseille.
Esta historia es de la edición July 27,2017 de CYCLING WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 27,2017 de CYCLING WEEKLY.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike