Froome all the rage for SPOTY betting as he closes in on history

As Chris Froome closes in on becoming only the third cyclist ever to win the Tour de France and La Vuelta in the same season, Oddschecker punters have been backing the Team Sky rider to add a third title to his name this year and land the BBC’s Sports Personality Of The Year award.

Froome leads Vincenzo Nibali by 1min 16sec with four stages remaining of this year’s Tour Of Spain and is the clear 1/5 favourite with bookmakers to maintain that lead over the closing days and become the first man since Bernard Hinault in 1978 to complete the remarkable double.

The magnitude of his potential achievement has not been lost on Oddschecker users with Froome the most popular pick in the market since La Vuelta began on August 19th. In that time, just over 27% of all bets have been on the four-time TdF winner, putting him clear of his nearest rival Lewis Hamilton on 13% and Mo Farah on 11%.

Before his victory in France, Froome was available at 50/1 to win the prestigious award with his odds slashed into 14/1 following his fourth career victory in the race. Those odds have tumbled further with his dominant display over in Spain with some bookies now as short as 6/1, although 12/1 is the standout price with Betway.

The clear favourite for the annual award voted for by the British public is world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua who earlier this year knocked out boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko in front of 80,000 people at Wembley. The Olympic gold medal winner will defend his titles against Kubrat Pulev at the Cardiff Principality Stadium on October 28th.

Oddschecker spokesperson George Leek: ‘Joshua shot to favouritism in the SPOTY market after his historic win over Wladimir Klitschko, but there were always going to be challengers as the year progressed. Froome's achievements are mightily impressive and, whilst he can still be backed at a double figure price, he is proving the popular pick to rival the boxer for the prestigious award.’