Q&A: Chris Froome

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/07/chris-froome-interview

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Chris Froome, 29, was born in Kenya. He grew up just outside Nairobi and went to school in South Africa. Since 2008, he has ridden under British licence. In 2012, he took Olympic bronze in the time trial. Last year, he won the 100th Tour de France and is expected to dominate this year's race, which begins in Yorkshire on 5 July. Froome lives in Monaco with his fiancee, Michelle Cound. His autobiography, The Climb, is out now.

When were you happiest?On the podium of the 100th Tour de France last year.

What is your greatest fear?Not being able to ride my bike.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?David Kinjah, my old coach and mentor in Kenya.

What trait do you most deplore in others?Dishonesty.

What is your earliest memory?Being swung around in circles by my hands by my older brothers.

What is your most treasured possession?The genes that my parents gave me.

What makes you unhappy?Not fulfilling my potential.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?My receding hairline.

If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?A woolly mammoth. I have always thought they are really cool.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?To the dinosaur era before humans were around. I would like to see how different the world looked.

Who would play you in the film of your life?Matt Damon, but he would need to lose a little weight.

What is the worst job you've done?Spinning class instructor about seven years ago.

What was your most embarrassing moment?Crashing into a race marshal at the World Championships in Salzburg in 2006.

What is your favourite smell?Freshly baked biscuits.

What is your favourite word?Hakuna matata – which means "No worries" in Swahili.

What is your favourite book?The Power Of One, by Bryce Courtenay.

What is the worst thing anyone's said to you?I've been called a doper and a cheat.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?Proper Italian gelati.

What do you owe your parents?Good morals (as well as the genes).

What does love feel like?Hot chocolate on a cold day.

What was the best kiss of your life?From a giraffe at a sanctuary in Kenya.

How often do you have sex?Not often enough, especially when I am away at races.

What is the closest you've come to death?Being trapped underneath a capsized dinghy as a kid with my two older brothers. We overturned off the coast in Kenya and I got stuck underneath, but one of my brothers got me out.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?Being able to eat chocolate without gaining weight.

What is your greatest achievement?Winning the 100th Tour de France.

What song would you like played at your funeral?Scatterlings Of Africa, by Johnny Clegg.