There was no heroic victory in the twelfth stage of the Tour de France to Alpe d’Huez, but third place felt just as good as a victory for Chris Froome. The four-time Tour winner finally showed what he can be capable of after a difficult period.
“I gave everything I had in me and I don’t regret anything,” said 37-year-old Froome on Thursday after Tom Pidcock’s mountain stage won according to Cyclingnews. “If you see where I come from, I can be very happy with a third place in one of the toughest stages of the Tour.”
Froome won the Tour de France in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 with then-Team Sky (now INEOS Grenadiers), but a serious accident in June 2019 while training for the Critérium du Dauphiné put a temporary end to his ambitions as a GC rider.
The Kenyan-born Briton, who suffered fractures to his neck, thigh, hip, elbow and ribs in the crash, was out of circulation for almost a year. Since his return at the start of 2020, Froome has not yet been able to show his pre-accident class. His latest win also dates back to the 2018 Giro d’Italia.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome battled to third place in the twelfth stage.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome battled to third place in the twelfth stage. Photo: Getty Images
‘I don’t know what my limit is’
In the twelfth stage of the Tour to the Alpe d’Huez, Froome could hope for a victory. The Israel-Premier Tech rider crossed over to the leading group and was left with Pidcock, Giulio Ciccone, Louise Meintjes and Neilson Powless at the end. On the final climb, Pidcock managed to release everyone, including Froome.
“I’ve wanted to use a stage like this for some time to try my luck in the break of the day,” said Froome. “I gave everything and I will continue to do so. I don’t know what my limit is, but I try to keep improving myself. Hopefully I can eventually win again.”
Froome, who, in addition to his four Tour victories, once won the Giro d’Italia (2018) and two editions of the Vuelta a España (2011 and 2017), currently occupies 29th place in the general classification. The Tour de France continues on Friday with a hill stage from Bourg d’Oisans to Saint-Étienne over 192.6 kilometers.