Who is Michelle Cound? Chris Froome’s wife who was in a Twitter spat with his Team Sky rival Bradley Wiggins’ wife
MICHELLE Cound is way more than a WAG — and has hit headlines herself thanks to her fierce Twitter spats. She’s the driving force behind cycling legend Chris Froome’s social media presence, and a mum to his little lad. Here’s what we know about Michelle… Who is Michelle Cound? Michelle, 28, is a sports photographer […]
MICHELLE Cound is way more than a WAG — and has hit headlines herself thanks to her fierce Twitter spats.
She’s the driving force behind cycling legend Chris Froome’s social media presence, and a mum to his little lad. Here’s what we know about Michelle…
Who is Michelle Cound?
Michelle, 28, is a sports photographer and cycling enthusiast – who born born in the Welsh town of Neath.
She lived in Port Talbot until she was five, when her family emigrated to South Africa.
The mum-of-one is known for her feisty character, and previously launched a scathing attack after a liquid thought to be urine was thrown in Chris’ face during the 2015 Tour de France.
Chris’ critics made the move over doping rumours, and Michelle branded them “ignorant fools”.
She’s well known for her Twitter spats, and has had to take herself off social media on a couple of occasions.
Her Twitter page, @michellefroome, now has just three tweets – despite her 18,000 followers.
Michelle is also a leading force in Chris’ own social media presence – which she calls the ‘Froome boom’.
Why was Michelle Cound in a Twitter spat with Bradley Wiggins?
Bradley Wiggins may be Chris’ Sky teammate, but that doesn’t mean their wives are going to get along.
Michelle famously got in a ‘war of the WAGS’ row with Catherine Wiggins.
It was sparked during the 2012 Tour, when Chris was ordered to hold back so Bradley could catch up and retain the leader’s yellow top.
Bradley became the first British winner of the Tour – and Michelle was not exactly impressed with the result.
In a tweet which was later deleted, Michelle wrote: “Team work is also about giving the people around you, that support you, a chance to shine in their own right.”
Cath hit back by praising Sky cyclists Mick Rogers and Richie Porte for their “genuine, selfless effort and true professionalism” – deliberately omitting Chris.
Michelle swiftly replied: “If you want loyalty, get a Froome dog a quality I value although being taken advantage of by others!”
Michelle reignited the feud in 2013, when Chris won the Tour for the first time.
She slammed Bradley for not congratulating Chris, adding that he and Cath should have “been a bit more classy and sent a message of congratulations.”
How did Michelle Cound meet Chris Froome?
Michelle met Kenya-born Chris, 32, through South African cyclist Daryl Impey in 2009.
The couple moved to Monaco, in the South of France, together in 2011 – and got engaged in 2013, while on holiday in Italy.
Michelle previously said: “He made me breakfast in bed, which is not like him at all.
“He sort of rolled over on to one knee and popped the question. When I replied, he started crying and said ‘is that a yes?’ Then we went and watched the cycling.”
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They married in South Africa in November 2014 – and Chris gushed at the time that he was the “luckiest man in the world”.
The Froomes had their first child, a son called Kellan, in December 2015.
Chris, who has British parents, won the Tour de France in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017 – making him the UK’s most successful cyclist in the race.
He has two bronze Olympic medals – which he won at London 2012 and Rio 2016.