"I have high hopes to be there" - Chris Froome's main objective remains the Tour de France in 2024

A man synonymous with the Tour de France over the last decade and a half, Chris Froome was bitterly disappointed to miss out on selection for this year's edition of the race. Looking ahead, the Tour remains his number one objective.

"I think the main objective for next year will be to return to the best level in the Tour de France,” said the 38-year-old Israel - Premier Tech rider in conversation with Marca. “Especially since it ends in my hometown, between Monaco and Nice, the last stage, so it would be a great pleasure for me to be there again."

Although he self admittedly is nowhere near the level that saw him win four Maillot Jaune's in five years between 2013 and 2017, Froome is confident he can still prove to be competitive. "Why not? Last year, I finished third on a stage. I think it’s very possible,” he insists.

"It depends on a lot of variables, and also on what the team decides for us next year. But I have high hopes to be there and I'm going to work as hard as I can to try to get there," concludes the Brit. "Now I see everything as a gift after my bad accident, so I'm just happy to be able to race again. Any victory today is incredible.”