It is tragic how the second half of Chris Froome's career has been destroyed by events out of his control conspiring against him.
2019: One-in-a-million ferocious blast of wind seems to single Froome out, sending him crashing into garden wall, fracturing multiple bones.
2020: Appalling lack of support from Team INEOS during Froome's comeback season as he sought to "build back to top form" - hitting Froome's morale by their baffling decision not to extend his contract.
2021: The quest for Tour de France No.5 is cruelly ended on Stage One during a horror pile-up, leaving Froome with multiple injuries. He stuns the world of cycling by somehow defying medical science to finish the race. What if he had been fit? Surely he would have challenged for yellow.
2022: Amateur Hour continues at Israel Premier Tech, hampering Froome's journey to "regaining my best form" with sub-standard organisation and equipment failures, best exemplified by Froome finishing outside the time limit at the early-season Tour of the Alps.
2023: Israel Premier Tech owner Sylvan Adams' personal attack on Froome shocks the sport, with the wild claim the four-time Tour de France winner has been "absolutely not value for money." The internal squabbles understandably affect Froome's form on the road, illustrated by his 63rd-place finish at Tour of Hainan.
2024: Another injury blow, scuppering Froome's return to the front of the peloton. He is forced to abandon Tirreno Adriatico with a fractured wrist just as it appears a return to his best is around the corner. The cycling Gods continue to thwart Froome.
2025: Can Chris Froome get a break? Plans for a season competing strongly in the Grand Tours are thrown into doubt in his first outing of the season. While biding his time in 75th place at the UAE Tour he is taken out on Stage 7, resulting in a fractured collarbone. Sadly, it seems we will have to wait until 2026 for his return to greatness.