Could Chris Froome still race the Tour de France? Former winner scheduled to race Mercan'Tour Classic and Criterium du Dauphiné

The path this year has been difficult for Chris Froome, but the former Tour de France winner is still looking to return to the race where he has taken his most glorious results. He should return to competition soon.

The Briton is currently in a training camp with several Israel - Premier Tech riders; presumably putting in the work to improve his form as much as possible ahead of the coming competitions. Froome started his season at the Tour du Rwanda and then raced Tirreno-Adriatico, but crashed and suffered a fractured scaphoid. He abandoned and has not raced since.

Froome was not selected to race the Grand Boucle last year; and this year it is by no means set in stone that he will return. Nevertheless, that is the 38-year old's ambition. According to Ciro Scognamiglio of Gazzetta dello Sport, Froomme will race the Mercan'Tour Classic on the 29th of May and start the Criterium du Dauphiné which starts on the 2nd of June.

This will be an important set of races, in which his participation at the Tour - and that of several of his teammates - should be decided.