Chris Froome targeting Tour de France with UAE Tour his first step back

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Chris Froome believes he will be “ready in time” for the Tour de France as he makes his long-awaited comeback to racing after suffering a career-threatening injury last June.

    The Briton will race in his first event in eight months at the UAE Tour, starting on Sunday, after fracturing his elbow, femur and vertebrae during a Criterium du Dauphine practice ride.

    After months of intensive rehab, the 34-year-old is set to take the first step on his path to clinching a record-equalling fifth Tour title in July.

    When asked if there was a deadline he was looking at to know whether this year’s Tour de France will not be his fifth title, he said: “I haven’t set myself a deadline. The way I’m looking at it is, I’ll do the most I can do and I’ll know by the time we get to the start of Tour if I’m in contention or not.

    “As I’m sitting here today, I fully believe I’ll be ready in time. I’ve still got a long way to go until I am in Tour de France winning shape. We’re in February still and I’m confident that over the next few months that I’ll get there.”

    The seven-time Grand Tour winner underwent his final surgery to remove screws and a plate from his right hip in November and resumed official training with the team in Gran Canaria last month.

    The real challenge will come in the big races and it has to start somewhere, especially if he is effectively building his body from zero again to the machine-like qualities necessary to negotiate the mountains.

    Miles on the bike in competition will sharpen the legs and mind, and allow him to build up the muscle memory in those key moments when the pressure is on.

    The right leg is weak, and there is an imbalance of strength when he rides. However, the only way for him to increase power is with rehab and races.

    “Being in the peloton (will be a test). All the surges. Naturally, I’m still a bit weaker on the right side where I broke my leg. That’s something I’m working on and will be for the next few months. More than anything, being back in the rhythm with the team is the most important for me. Anything else is a bonus,” he said.

    “I’m seeing progressions all the time with the strength and the power coming back. It’s going to take time to get to where I left off. I feel fresh now. Eight months off have given me a lot to think about but I’m really motivated about the season ahead.

    “When I’m pedalling it’s definitely not 50 per cent, 50 per cent left and right. The left side is working more than the right.”

    The seven day UAE Tour starts in Dubai on Sunday with a 148km jaunt from The Pointe to Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Froome admits it feels like his first day at school again.

    “I’m extremely happy. I was hoping to do the race last year but couldn’t make it. After the crash, I’ve been away from racing for eight months. It feels like the first day back at school again,” he said.

    “There have been a lot of tough moments but the goal was to try and start the season relatively early. If I finish the week of racing I’ll be happy. I certainly won’t be winning this week. But, If I can try and do a job for my team, and help us get the best result possible, that would be great. I’ll take it one week at a time,” he said.

    “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance in the peloton. I’m really grateful. I’ve got to start somewhere and this seemed like a great event to start off.”

    Recommended