Chris Froome ready for a comeback in pursuit of Tour de France 2024

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome is poised for a return to competitive racing after suffering a wrist fracture during the Tirreno-Adriatico in early March.

The celebrated cyclist is now prepared to pin on a race number once more.

This Wednesday marks the French one-day race, the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes, which will be Froome's first race in nearly three months.

Froome, riding for Israel-Premier Tech, is set to compete alongside his teammates, including La Flèche Wallonne winner Stephen Williams and New Zealand veteran George Bennett.

The Mercan’Tour Classic is pivotal for the 39-year-old Briton's campaign to secure a spot in this summer's Tour de France. Froome has not raced since March, when he withdrew from Tirreno-Adriatico due to his wrist injury.

His last participation in the Mercan’Tour Classic saw him finish in 14th place, a performance that was insufficient to earn him a spot in the Tour de France lineup, despite Froome feeling ready for the challenge.

Froome has been vocal about his ambition to compete in the Tour de France again, a goal he reiterated at the end of last season.

With only 12 race days logged in 2024 so far, Froome faces a crucial period of performance evaluation if he is to make the roster for the Tour, which starts in Florence on June 29.

The stakes are high for Froome and his team, Israel-Premier Tech. Alongside Froome, the team fields strong competitors like Stephen Williams, who claimed victory at La Flèche Wallonne this year, and seasoned racer George Bennett.

Their collective performance in the Mercan’Tour Classic could be a decisive factor in Froome's quest to return to the Tour de France, showcasing both his recovery and readiness for one of cycling's most grueling competitions.

As the countdown to the Tour de France begins, all eyes will be on Chris Froome and his bid to reclaim his place in the prestigious race.

The upcoming races will be critical for him to demonstrate his fitness and capability to compete at the highest level once more.