Froome wins third Tour de France title

Froome becomes just the eighth rider to win at least three Tours de France, joining Belgium’s Phillipe Thys, Louison Bobet of France and American Greg LeMond at three.

Mark Cavendish, who won four of this year’s stages during this year’s Tour, agreed that Froome was ideally equipped to challenge for the treble.

Now in its fourth year, the Classic race is considered the festival’s flagship event and will see more 150 of the world’s top pro cyclists ride through London and Surrey.

Britain’s Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, and the pack pass the Arc de Triomphe during the twenty-first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 113 kilometers (70.2 miles) with start in Chantilly and finish in Paris, France, Sunday, July 24, 2016.

“We all love the Tour de France because it is unpredictable, but we love the Tour more for what stays the same – the passion of the fans from every nation along the roadside, the beauty of the French countryside and the bonds of friendship created through sport.

It feels like a privilege to be in this position”, said Froome, who praised his Sky team-mates for their support after a day which saw German Andre Greipel win the final stage on Paris’ Champs Elysees. Greipel is going to try and take on Alexander Kristoff.

“I might do the Vuelta this year but with my focus on the Tour it’s hard to commit to the Giro”, he added at a news conference.

Given the recent terror attack in Nice which killed 89 people, Froome reserved kind words for the French people and the possibility of sport to bring people together.

The 31-year-old is grateful to the public and he knows he also owes his success to his teammates, including Wouter Poels, who kept him safe and formed the most formidable team assembled in years.

Only two other riders now racing have won the Tour, Alberto Contador twice, in 2007 and 2009 and Vincenzo Nibali in 2014, but Froome is ready for more. “With the looks of the team that we’ve got, the inclusion of Steve Cummings, we can be competitive, and to have a result there would be phenomenal”.

“It’s a strong sign that life goes on”, Froome said, giving credit to organisers for ensuring the race went ahead. I hope I can do that next year.

The world champion won 3 stages, claimed the green points jersey for the fifth year in a row and was also named the race’s most combative rider.