SYDNEY (AFP) — Three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome will launch his 2017 season in Australia, announcing Thursday he will compete in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Herald Sun Tour.
But the Sky rider will not line up in the Santos Tour Down Under, which is longer and starts earlier than the other two races on January 17.
Froome, who won the 2013, 2015, and 2016 Tours de France, will kick off his year at the UCI WorldTour’s one-day Cadel Evans race on January 29, before defending his Herald Sun Tour title from February 1-5. Both are in Victoria state.
“I love riding in Australia. The weather is great and the crowds always come out in force to support the riders. That makes it all the more enjoyable,” the Briton said.
“It’s always tough racing and a really strong, competitive field — so it’s an ideal way for me to kick off my year. I took a similar approach last year and felt it was a great way to set up my season.”
Froome won this year’s Herald Sun Tour ahead of countryman and Sky teammate Peter Kennaugh, who claimed the 2016 Cadel Evans title.
Next year, Froome is expected to face stiff competition from Orica – BikeExchange’s Colombian star Esteban Chaves, who has also committed to racing at the Herald Sun Tour.
Chaves had a breakout season this year, finishing second in the Giro d’Italia, third in the Vuelta a Espana, and first in Il Lombardia.
“[Froome] is obviously happy with how he did last season in winning the Herald Sun Tour and then winning the Tour de France, so maybe we can copy that,” Chaves said.
“I have started training early, which is new for me. But the important thing is I’m super motivated, I’m happy to do it, and I’ll go 100 percent.”
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