Chris Froome has announced his participation in the Vuelta a Espana and hopes to become the first rider to win the Spanish race and the Tour de France in the same year since 1995.
Froome, who won the Tour title on Sunday in Paris, has previously finished second in Vuelta on three occasions. He finished 13 seconds behind Juan Jose Cobo before coming second to Contador in 2014 and Nairo Quintana in 2016.
“I’ve got the opportunity and I’m certainly going to go for it,” Froome said in a statement on Team Sky’s website. “The Vuelta is a race I love – it’s vicious but it’s three weeks that I enjoy,” said Froome. I’ve come second three times now and I’d love to win. To win both the Tour and the Vuelta in one year would be absolutely incredible.”
The general classification battle may be similar to that of the Tour with Romain Bardet, Fabio Aru, and Alberto Contador all expected to ride. Vincenzo Nibali, who missed the Tour, may also be a strong contender.
Froome could become the first British rider to win Spain’s national race although no rider has won the Tour and Vuelta in the same year since the latter was moved to August and September from April in 1995. The 2017 Vuelta begins on 19 August in Nimes, France and finishes on 10 September in Madrid.
