Chris Froome will leave Team Ineos at the end of the current season, it was confirmed today.
The four-time Tour de France winner will not have his contract renewed, Team Ineos announced today. The news frees Froome to find another team as he pursues his goal of winning a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title.
Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford said: "Chris's current contract comes to an end in December and we have taken the decision now not to renew it. We are making this announcement earlier than would usually be the case to put an end to recent speculation and allow the Team to focus on the season ahead.
""Chris has been with us from the start. He is a great champion and we have shared many memorable moments over the years but I do believe this is the right decision for the Team and for Chris.
"Given his achievements in the sport, Chris is understandably keen to have sole team leadership in the next chapter of his career - which is not something we are able to guarantee him at this point. A move away from Team Ineos can give him that certainty.
"At the same time, it will also give other members of our Team the leadership opportunities they too have earned and are rightly seeking. I am excited about the talent we have right across the Team at the current time and all our collective focus is on preparing for the season ahead.
"Like everyone across the sport we are all looking forward to the start of racing next month."
Froome joined Team Sky, as it was then known, 10 years ago and served as super domestique to Bradley Wiggins as he became the first British rider to win the Tour in 2012.
He then went on to win the following year's Tour in 2013, before reeling off three on the spin from 2015 to 2017.
Froome's horrific injury in 2019 gave his team mate, rising star Egan Bernal, a chance to shine. Bernal romped to Tour de France victory aged just 22, and is now seen as the future of Team INEOS.
Froome, who has also won the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana (twice), has been strongly linked with a move to the Israel Start-Up Nation team for next season.
"It has been a phenomenal decade with the Team," commented Froome.
"We have achieved so much together and I will always treasure the memories. I look forward to exciting new challenges as I move into the next phase of my career but in the meantime my focus is on winning a fifth Tour de France with Team Ineos."
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