Chris Froome, the Kenyan-born British winner of the 2013 Tour de France, has announced he is to write his autobiography for Penguin.

Titled The Climb, Froome's book is billed as telling "the inspirational story of his 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 this year's Tour."

The book will be written in collaboration with acclaimed Irish journalist David Walsh, co-author of L.A. Confidentiel: Lance Armstrong's Secrets. It promises to uncover details of Froome's much-publicised rivalry with Sky team mate Bradley Wiggins and the pressures of coping with the legacy of Lance Armstrong's doping, as well as Froome's personal struggles to overcome the death of his mother and debilitating illness en route to his 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 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, before winning this year's Tour de France by 4 minutes 20 seconds.

Chris Froome said: "Many people have come to know my name through my achievements over the last year, but I feel that there are not many people who know who I really am. I hope that this book will give people a bit of insight into me and my obstacle-ridden journey to the top, and inspire them to push on despite any challenges they may face in achieving their own goals."

Ben Brusey, editor at Viking, said: "Chris Froome is the future of cycling. His incredible victories this year have helped make cycling in Britain more popular than ever, and we are thrilled to be publishing his book in time for the start of the 2014 Tour in Yorkshire. His story is hugely inspirational and I know that it will be enjoyed by sports lovers as well as an even wider audience."

The Climb by Chris Froome will be published in Viking hardback and ebook in June 2014.  

Froome with a view. The Tour de France winner's autobiography is expected to lift the lid on his fierce rivalry with Bradely Wiggins just weeks before the start of the 2014 Tour.
Froome with a view. The Tour de France winner's autobiography is expected to lift the lid on his fierce rivalry with Bradely Wiggins just weeks before the start of the 2014 Tour.

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