Team Sky's Chris Froome beat Nairo Quintana, who won the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider, by 1:12 after resisting the Colombian's late charge in the Alps.
- Late bloomer Froome wins second Tour de France title
- Froome's rivals not good enough as Tour de France disappoints
But Froome's Big Four rivals at the tour -- Alberto Contador, Vincenzo Nibali and Nairo Quintana – weren’t the only hurdles in his path. There were outside influences that threatened to derail his campaign.
From being called a dope cheat to being urinated upon, Le Tour was nothing short of dramatic for the Briton.
Froome put down his marker on the Tour in the first mountain stage (La Pierre-Saint-Martin was Froome’s only stage victory of the Tour) before riding defensively, his main concern being off the bike as the atmosphere turned sour with doping suspicions arising.
Team Sky published their rider's power data in order to end the row.
There were also veiled accusations of his bike being blessed with a thrust of a motor.
Rumours made the rounds that there were secret motors concealed in bikes. The sport’s governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale, ran equipment checks throughout the Tour and didn’t find anyone using a motor.
According to reports, Froome’s bike was tested at least twice at this race, including after his stage victory.
But the nagging suspicion of doping did not leave the Team Sky cyclist.
“It’s not my job to defend any particular rider,” UCI president Brian Cookson said.
“What I will say is that I believe cycling has got the best anti-doping of any sport in the world... People should leave that up to us,” the UCI chief had said.
Froome stated that the preceding 'irresponsible reporting' about him doping pushed a spectator to throw urine at him on stage 14.
“Disappointing that a French “fan” ruined a great day for me today. Thank you to the real fans who come out to support all the riders every day. Pity such a small minority can have such a negative impact,” Froome had tweeted after the urine incident.
Team Sky's director of business operations Fran Millar wrote on Twitter that the attack was a "total and utter disgrace".
"These people are not fans," she said.
"Repercussions of a minority of people's baseless speculation and innuendo means our riders are being punched and urine thrown."
Three days later, Froome was spat on by a spectator during uphill climb in stage 19.
Froome said after the stage: 'I didn't see the spit but it's appalling. We are human beings primarily, then sportsmen. Don't come to spit, punch or throw urine.
‘Fortunately for me I didn’t see it but a few journalists have brought that to my attention. That is appalling behaviour. You can’t come to a bike race and punch riders, or throw urine at them or spit at them. That’s not acceptable.’
There was a bigger challenge awaiting Froome before pedaling off for the last stage.
It was his health.
Through the Tour, the 30-year-old was struggling with a chest infection, which he only spoke of after the race.
According to reports in the British press, ‘the infection was infection serious enough to convince his boss, Sir Dave Brailsford, that a historic second Tour victory for the British rider might disappear on the last brutal stage in the Alps.
Brailsford was so concerned he said he was unable to sleep the night before’.
“It was horrific,” he admitted.
By beating these doubters, Froome showed that all one needs is heart to script history!
