After rising to prominence with second place at the 2012 Tour and an Olympic time trial bronze medal at London 2012, behind teammate Sir Bradley Wiggins on each occasion, Froome rose to new heights last year by following in Sir Bradley's footsteps to secure a second successive Tour victory for Britain and Team Sky.

His title defence next year will have extra significance because, for the first time since 2007, it will start on British shores with the opening stage taking place in Yorkshire.

The 28-year old Kenyan-born rider will have been keen to sort out his future before he begins his preparations. 

"This has been an incredible year for me and I'm delighted to finish it off by signing a new contract with Team Sky," said Froome.

"It's impossible to win races without the right team beside you so I'd like to thank everyone at the team for their continued support.

"I've been with this team since the start and I know this is the right place for me to continue to grow."

Chris Froome celebrates his Tour de France victory in Paris in July ©Getty Images


As well as Froome, fellow Britons Peter Kennaugh and Ian Stannard, along with Spain's David López have been others to re-sign, and this adds to the mid-season contract extension of Froome's key Tour de France lieutenant in Australian Richie Porte.

Colombian climbing specialist Sergio Henao will also stay with the team, although compatriot Rigoberto Uran, runner-up in the 2013 Giro d'Italia, has left to join rivals Omega Pharma Quickstep.

The biggest doubts however are over Sir Bradley, who after an injury disrupted year in which he failed to begin his Tour de France title defence, has not yet committed to a new contract amid rumours he is planning to return to the track ahead of Rio 2016.

Team Sky did not comment on Sir Bradley's future, but the importance of the other new contracts was emphasised by Team Sky performance manager Rod Ellingworth.

"We've consolidated what is an incredibly strong group of guys over the winter," he said.

"The team's core remains intact and that's important going forward.

"Everyone is committed to keep improving and we always look to provide the best environment for riders to do that."

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