Read the full story in the April 17 issue of Cycling Weekly ? out now

Britain has a new professional rider, and perhaps also a contender for the tough road events in the Beijing Olympics, after the UCI issued Chris Froome with a British licence.

The Barloworld rider was born in Kenya and rode for the African country several times as an amateur but has always held a British passport.

He will ride the Amstel Gold Race for Barloworld on Sunday and although he’s still listed as a Kenyan rider on the race start list, he will technically be a British rider.

Froome could even ride for Great Britain in Beijing as the British Olympic Association bids to challenge a rule that bars athletes who have switched nationality within the past three years from competing for their new country.

Read Froome’s reaction and comment from British Cycling in Cycling Weekly