The Climb: The Autobiography - Hardcover

Froome, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0241004187 ISBN 13: 9780241004180

Publisher: Viking, 2014

Synopsis

The Climb by Chris Froome - the inspirational memoir from the British winner of the 100th edition of the Tour de France

The Climb tells the extraordinary story of Chris Froome's journey from a young boy in Kenya, riding through townships and past wild animals, and with few opportunities for an aspiring cyclist, to his unforgettable yellow jersey victory in the 2013 Tour de France.

A journey unlike any other in the history of cycling, Froome has crossed continents, overcome the death of his mother and conquered debilitating illness to follow his dreams and represent Team GB and Team Sky. He has experienced soaring triumphs, humbling defeats, a public rivalry with Bradley Wiggins and, most recently, the pressures of Lance Armstrong's legacy.

Extraordinary, revealing and life-affirming, The Climb is a story of determination, hardship and unimaginable success.

Chris Froome was born in Nairobi in 1985 to British parents. He was educated and raised in South Africa and now races for Team GB and Team Sky. In 2011 he finished second overall in the Vuelta a España. In 2012 he finished runner-up to Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France and won the Bronze medal in the Time Trial at the Olympic Games. Froome amassed five stage-race victories in 2013, with triumphs at the Tour of Oman, Criterium International, Tour de Romandie and Criterium du Dauphine leading into a dominant win at the 100th Tour de France. He won the prestigious Velo d'Or award for best rider of 2013 and was shortlisted for the 2013 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. In 2014 he won the Tour of Oman, the Tour de Romandie and finished runner-up in the Vuelta a Espana.

About this title

Review

In this engaging memoir, Froome recalls his childhood in Nairobi, gives a vividly evoked account of his victory and doesn't attempt to gloss over the rivalry between the two Team Sky riders (Mail on Sunday, Books of the Year)

Hard to beat for a top pro's perspective (Financial Times)

Froome's story is an intriguing one (Richard Williams Guardian)

A brutally tough upbringing (Paul Kimmage)

The key to (Chris's) success is his mental resilience. He might look like an unlikely strong man at first glance, but I wouldn't let that fool you. Beneath the surface there is a real fighter. He's a tough guy (Sir Dave Brailsford)

Chris Froome is an absolutely phenominal athlete. It blows my mind how incredible his performances have been (Victoria Pendleton)

Even though we don't see each other so much anymore he has lived in my dreams. He (was) wearing the yellow jersey every day and I almost felt I was wearing it myself (David Kinjah, Chris Froome’s former cycling mentor and coach, Safari Simbaz)

Just a few years ago we did not have anyone who could podium, but now we have two cyclists who can win the Tour in consecutive years. It is a phenomenal achievement and what Chris has done is phenomenal (Sir Chris Hoy)

From the Back Cover

On 24th July 2016, Chris Froome entered the record books. He won cycling's ultimate race - the Tour de France - for the third time.

Taking a third Yellow Jersey was a staggering achievement. This memoir shows just how remarkable it was, given the uphill struggle Froome faced. Growing up in Kenya, biking down mile after mile of dusty road, and staying in a humble tin hut, he developed a fierce passion and determination to win.

The road to Europe was long, gruelling and filled with setbacks - but it prepared him for teamwork as a domestique and then the leap to leader of Team Sky and a shot at winning the Tour de France. In The Climb, written with the renowned investigative reporter David Walsh, he vividly recounts the struggles, the rivalries, the battles, the comebacks. Finally he traces his path to triumph and his mission to help clean up cycling.

Inspiring and exhilarating, it will leave you ready to face your own challenges in life, whatever they may be.

'Engaging, vividly evoked' Mail on Sunday, Books of the Year

'What Chris has done is phenomenal' Sir Chris Hoy

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0241004187
• ISBN 13: 9780241004180
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 448