Va Va Froome: The Remarkable Rise of Chris Froome

by David Sharp

On 21 July 2013 Chris Froome made history as the second British cyclist to win the Tour de France - in the 100th edition of the world's most famous bike race - and the first ever African-born rider to wear the coveted maillot jaune on the top step of the podium in Paris. Froome's path into the elite ranks of road racing - from mountain biking alongside wild animals on dusty roads in the nature reserves of Kenya's Great Rift Valley to the giddy heights of the Tour de France - has been unlike any other in the annals of the sport. Born in Nairobi to British parents he was educated in South Africa and studied economics at university. But he abandoned his degree to take up the offer of a professional cycling contract in Europe. A fish out of water, unused to the harsh northern hemisphere winters, with no idea of the tactics, discipline or etiquette of riding in the professional peloton, Froome encountered a shock entrance into the rough and tumble world of top level European bike racing.

Incredibly, within two years - and despite his progress being severely hampered when he contracted a debilitating tropical disease - Froome had signed for the world's biggest cycling team, British cycling supremo Sir Dave Brailsford's Team Sky, finished second overall in the Vuelta a Espana, and sacrificed his own ambitions to help teammate Bradley Wiggins claim Britain's first ever Tour de France title in 2012. At the turn of 2013 Froome superseded Wiggins as Sky's team leader and went on to win four out of the five stage races he entered, including the prestigious Criterium du Dauphine, before dominating the 2013 Tour de France on a relentless pursuit of the ultimate prize in cycling. David Sharp tells the story of a unique athlete's remarkable journey that led him from riding his bike for fun in the Ngong Hills of Kenya to the very pinnacle of the sport and victory in the world's toughest race.

Genres: Cycling

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Others:
David Sharp: GR author, fiction, gay & lesbian, horror
David Sharp: history
David Sharp FRS: English physician and entomologist
David Sharp: audiobook narrator
David Sharp: outdoor activity, wrote The London Loop

Reviews

[Sarah Alderson]

This book tells a compelling and inspiring story of perseverance, identity, and ambition. Chris Froome’s journey from riding bikes in the Kenyan highlands to standing on the top step of the Tour de France podium is both extraordinary and deeply human. The author does an excellent job of capturing not just Froome’s victories, but the challenges, doubts, and sacrifices that shaped him along the way. A fascinating read for cycling fans and anyone who appreciates stories of determination and resilience.

Sarah Alderson
www.sarahalderson.com

authorsarahalderson@gmail.com

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer]

Fairly straightforward biographical account from a cycling writer, which draws extensively on magazine and cyclingnews archives to piece together Froome’s career (often from times when Froome himself was not, at the time, the main story of even a side-story). These are complemented well by interviews with a number of people who were part of Froome’s career from his very early days in Kenya to Sean Yates ay Sky, but what is lacking is any new material direct from Froome or his girlfriend. What is interesting is how Froome’s progression was far from obvious – at each level there was little sign he was an outstanding talent and in fact he often was lucky to make the next level.

[Ian Bradbury]

I read this after reading another book on Brad Wiggins. It's a bit repetitive in places, but otherwise I really enjoyed it - a very interesting book about a world class athlete with quite an unusual background. Having now read three books back to back on different Road racing cyclists, I am only just beginning to understand the sport!

[Xroldx]

Chris Froome is a remarkable athlete and this book tells his story. Growing up in Kenia and dreaming about pro-cycling. Getting lost amongst wild animals and on in European races. Working for Wiggins and going for his own chances.

[Denise Harris]

Good insight into a less known,until this year, rider.

[Fran Hawkes]

Interesting story but little insight and I don't think I learned anything. That being said it was nice to remember a couple of really good Tours.