Chris Froome reports a "shock to the system" in season debut at Coppi e Bartali

Israel - Premier Tech have brought a team thinking of Ben Hermans' overall ambitions for the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali, with Chris Froome as support for the Belgian. Results are far from the expectations, however Chris Froome is not worried with the sharp start to his racing season.

“Yesterday was a bit of a shock to the system after five months of not racing," Froome said at the start of the second stage of the Italian race. Although he did not come with a leadership role, Froome struggled on the opening day as he arrived in the small grupetto, alongside several continental-level riders and sprinters. In the second stage, he once again arrived at the grupetto, although this one included almost half of the peloton, 21 minutes down on stage winner Ethan Hayter.

After a delayed start to the season due to a knee injury, the former Tour de France winner came to Coppi e Bartali to get his racing rhythm back. All five stages are hilly and far from ideal for the Briton, but he shrugs off any disappointment that may be hinted: “The stages here are very much like Ardennes races, with 2-3km climbs over and over again. So it’s tough racing but I think that this is a good way for me to start and hopefully for me to look ahead to the races coming up."

Froome is not having an easy time over at the race, but will be eyeing better form for the Tour of Turkey and the Tour de Romandie later this spring.