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Chris Froome confirmed for 2022 Tour de France start

Chris Froome Israel Premier Tech

Chris Froome has been confirmed on the Israel-Premier Tech line-up for the 2022 Tour de France. The British rider returned to the race last year for the first time since 2018. That year Froome finished 3rd with teammate Geraint Thomas on the top step of the podium. Whilst in good form the following year, Froome suffered a serious crash whilst warming up at the Dauphine. For many, it might have been a career-ender but the 4-time Tour de France winner has clawed his way back into contention for the biggest race on the calendar again.

Riding the 2022 tour de France will be Chris Froome’s 10th appearance at the Tour. The first was way back in 2008, racing for South African team Barloworld along with future teammate Geraint Thomas. After 6 podiums (and 4 wins) in 7 editions, the crash derailed the streak. The 2014 Tour de France was the only gap. Last year Froome finished 133rd overall, more than 4 hours behind winner Tadej Pogacar.

There were doubts that Chris Froome would make the line-up this year. Now 37, he admitted there were doubts due to the ongoing fitness struggles as a result of the major crash. Froome has previously said that he is unable to produce the same power from both legs and is biased to one side. There was some hope when Froome finished 11th at the Classic Alpes-Maritimes but then had to withdraw from the Criterium du Dauphine with 2 stages left because of illness.

“I’ve worked exceptionally hard this year and I’m looking forward to giving it my all,” Froome said in a statement. “We’ve got a great group of riders in the lineup and we can’t wait for the battle to begin in Copenhagen.”

Chris Froome

Israel-Premier Tech will also bring fellow veterans Michael Woods and Jakob Fuglsang. Both riders don’t have the greatest of history at the Tour de France, with Fuglsang’s 7th in 2013 their best GC result. Neither has won a stage at the Tour either.