The owner of the Israel-Premier Tech racing team has harshly criticized his big earner Chris Froome, who was not considered for the Tour de France.
When asked if the four-time Tour de France winner was worth the money, Sylvan Adams replied in an interview with Cycling Weekly: “Absolutely not. We signed Chris to lead our Tour de France team and he isn’t even here.”
Billionaire Adams signed Froome in 2021. According to reports, the cycling star collects around five million euros a year. At the time the contract was signed, Froome had recovered from the serious fall he suffered just before the 2019 tour. But it was unclear if the Brit could ever match his former level of performance.
Froome not there for performance reasons
For performance reasons, Froome was not considered for the current tour. “It’s not a PR move. Chris isn’t a symbol, he’s supposed to be our Tour de France captain and he’s not even there, so I can’t say he’s worth the money,” Adams said. The entrepreneur is convinced that Froome’s achievements have nothing to do with his injuries sustained four years ago.
The contractual situation appears nebulous. Froome’s working paper officially expires after three years at the end of the season. Apparently Froome is holding the reins. “It can be extended to five years if Chris decides so,” said Adams, who once pledged to Froome to retire with the team. In two years Froome would be 40 years old.
Adams called Froome the greatest Grand Tour champion of his generation of riders. Born in Kenya, he won the Tour of France in 2013 and from 2015 to 2017. Last year, Froome made headlines when he finished third on the Alpe d’Huez stage.