Froome calls 2019 Dauphine crash a career turning point

British cyclist Chris Froome has identified the severe crash he suffered in the 2019 Criterium du Dauphine as a significant turning point in his career. The accident, which occurred in June 2019 weeks before the Tour de France, led to fractures in his femur, elbow, hip, and ribs.

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That crash in the Dauphine was a huge turning point in my career. I regret that crash. I was in a great place to fight for the fifth Tour de France.

"That crash in the Dauphine was a huge turning point in my career," Froome told Reuters in an interview. "I regret that crash. I was in a great place to fight for the fifth Tour de France." At the time, Froome was aiming to equal the record of five Tour de France victories held by cycling legends like Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx. His last Grand Tour victory was the 2018 Giro d'Italia.

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If I had done that, I would have spent the rest of my life thinking: 'Maybe I could have won another Tour de France.' And that would have probably been more damaging to me.

Despite the setback, Froome believes continuing his career post-crash was the correct choice. "If I had done that, I would have spent the rest of my life thinking: 'Maybe I could have won another Tour de France.' And that would have probably been more damaging to me," he explained. He acknowledged a difficult period of adjustment, estimating it took "at least two or three years" to come to terms with the impact of the crash.

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It was difficult and it definitely took time to accept. I think there was probably a period of at least two or three years where I was still chasing the dream.

Froome, who achieved his Grand Tour successes with Team Sky (later Team Ineos), moved to Israel-Premier Tech in 2021 for the final five seasons of his professional career. He mentioned that he had not had the opportunity to formally announce his retirement due to a subsequent crash in August of the previous year, which resulted in broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and a back fracture. Reflecting on his career, Froome fondly recalled his first Tour de France win in 2013, describing the feeling of crossing the finish line in Paris in the yellow jersey as unforgettable.

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No one wishes to have a life-threatening injury like that. retirement was 'a moment (he) was waiting for, especially after all the crashes'.