Chris Froome to start 2017 season in Australia
Tour de France champion Chris Froome will return to defend his victory in the Herald Sun Tour in Australia in February, and ride in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Chris Froome (Team Sky) will start his 2017 season at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29) and Jayco Herald Sun Tour (February 1-5) in Australia.
Froome took the overall honours in the five-day 2016 Sun Tour, kicking off what would turn out to be another successful season that saw him take a third Tour de France victory, a bronze Olympic time trial medal, win the Critérium du Dauphiné and place second overall in the Vuelta a España.
However, one thing that Froome did not face in Australia last year was Esteban Chaves (Orica-BikeExchange). Rapidly emerging Grand Tour talent Chaves has also elected to kick off his 2017 campaign in Australia.
The Colombian will ride against Froome in both the Great Ocean Road Race – now a WorldTour-level event – and the Sun Tour, after also competing in the Tour Down Under.
The Sun Tour has been altered for 2017, with a longer route and plenty of climbing – something which should provide Froome and Chaves with a form tester, even if both riders may be some way off peak condition so early in the year.
“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,” Froome told the Herald newspaper.
>>> Why is Chris Froome not on the BBC Sports Personality award shortlist?
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“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.
“We’ll be out with a strong squad and looking to get 2017 off to a winning start. I’m really looking forward to starting in Australia again.”
Last year, Froome won the race overall by attacking on the final day's climb-peppered stage to take a solo victory and with it the overall win.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
I’m a torrential sweater - why do I leak so much, and what does it mean for performance?
Perturbed by his own torrential sweating, Steve Shrubsall goes on a hunt for the truth about how perspiration affects performance at the pedals
By Stephen Shrubsall Published
-
Lauren Stephens and Brennan Wertz crowned US National Gravel Champions
In Nebraska, riders battled for the Stars-and-Stripes jersey, a $40,000 prize purse and entry to the UCI Gravel World Championships
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'You can't sugarcoat it' - Luke Rowe says Ineos Grenadiers are 'underperforming'
British squad's experienced road captain believes his team has been "overtaken" by others
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Steve Cummings replaced by Tom Pidcock's coach in Tour of Britain management team shake-up at Ineos Grenadiers
Cummings was on the provisional start list submitted to the race organiser, but was replaced by Kurt Bogaerts
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Dan Bigham becomes Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe after leaving Ineos Grenadiers
After winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Bigham then left his role at Ineos due to his frustrations with the setup currently in place at the team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe confirmed for Tour of Britain Men
Double Olympic champion and Alaphilippe headline Soudal Quick-Step team selection
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert’s 2023 Tour of Britain prize money still in limbo
Funds still outstanding after British Cycling agreed to honour prize money
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Olympic mountain bike champion 'had no choice' but to leave Ineos Grenadiers to race on the road
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot signed for Visma-Lease a Bike this week due to Ineos Grenadiers still lacking plans for a Women’s WorldTour team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers and Soudal Quick-Step set to headline fast approaching Tour of Britain
Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel expected to feature for Soudal Quick-Step as Belgian team return to the race for the first time since 2021
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published