Tour de France: Chris Froome showcases his 'true colours' after historic third tour title

The Kenyan-born rider becomes the first Briton in history to win the tour three times

Froome with Team Sky director Sir Dave Brailsford (Getty)

Chris Froome believes that if his running up the Mont Ventoux in his cycling shoes for 200 metres proves one thing, it’s how hungry he was to take his third victory in the Tour this year.

“I think if anything it shows my will to win, how badly I wanted it. Even though I’ve won two Tours, that doesn’t change anything for me, that’s make me complacent, it doesn’t make me feel as if I want it any less,” Froome argued in an interview on the eve of his Tour win.

“Even though this is going to be my third victory, each one is so special, it could have been the first one all over again, and I was going to fight for it, just as hard if not even harder because I know how special it is.”

Reliving the moments which could easily have cost him a third Tour de France had he been unluckier in the Ventoux crash - Froome fell heavily when he was struck by a race TV motorbike - the Kenyan-born Briton said, “There was a bit of panic, it was chaos. Once we hit that motorbike we were all on the ground.”

“I got back up and tried to get on my bike, it’s a natural instinct, you just try to do that.”

“But straightaway I could see my bike was in bits...I don’t think I even gave it a second thought, ‘I’m just over a K from the finish, the car is nowhere near by, I need to get closer to that finish line however I can’ I thought, and that was by running.”

When on the bike rather than off it, Froome recognised that he has radically changed his racing approach, carrying out two dramatic all-out surprise attacks during the Tour. At one point or another, these have netted him the lead on one stage, small amounts of time on others and in all cases - particularly when combined with more set-piece triumphs like in Thursday’s time trial - seriously demoralised his rivals.

“I definitely feel as if I’ve matured a lot as a bike rider over the last couple of seasons, I came into the sport very late, and I feel as if even at this point, at the age of 31, I’m still learning so much about the sport,” Froome said as he analyzed why he had changed his style.

“I think tactically I’ve shown this year, that I have learned a lot, that’s probably why I’ve been able to race the way I have.”

“Certainly there’s no way anyone can say that my racing style is boring and predictable as they have in the past.”

Chris Froome passes the Arc de Triomphe (Getty)

Froome confirmed that he had had a much warmer reception from the French public than in previous years, and also admitted that his natural shyness has “made it hard for people to relate to me in the past.”

However, his more outgoing, dramatic racing style in 2016 - and perhaps too the crashes on the Ventoux and in the Alps and Froome’s tenacious reaction to them - have “helped people to get to know me a little bit better.”

“I think if anything, my true colours have come out in this race, I have been pushed to the limit in every aspect possible.”

After receiving his final yellow jersey on the winners' podium, Froome paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Nice terrorist attack duing the Tour.

“This Tour has taken place against the backdrop of the terrible events in Nice and we pay our respects once again to those who lost their lives," he said on the Champs Elysées. "Of course these events put sport into perspective but they also show why the values of sport are so important to free society. We all love the Tour de France because it’s unpredictable but we love the Tour more for what stays the same – the passion of the fans for every nation, the beauty of the French countryside and the bonds of friendship created through sport. These things will never change.

“To my teammates and support team this is your yellow jersey. I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for your commitment. A massive thank you to Dave Brailsford and my coach Tim Kerrison. This is one special team and I’m so proud to be part of it. To Michelle, my wife, and my son, Kellan, your love and support make everything possible. Kellan I dedicate this victory to you."