Chris Froome 'ready to become more competitive’ after returning to Criterium du Dauphine three years since crash

Chris Froome says he is ready to take the “next step” after returning to the scene of his near-fatal crash three years ago. The Briton is racing in the Criterium du Dauphine this week, fresh from an 11th-place finish at the Mercan'Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes.

Ad/> That result was Froome’s best finish since his crash at the Criterium du Dauphine in 2019, and the Israel-Premier Tech rider says he has been injury-free since the start of the year. CyclingDumoulin to retire from cycling at the end of the season03/06/2022 AT 12:59 “As I alluded to earlier this season, this is the first time in the last three years that I’ve been fully niggle-free, issue-free, I haven’t had any pain or discomfort,” he said before Stage 2 of the Criterium du Dauphine.

“The left-right leg balance is in place, so it has basically been an uninterrupted period since January until now of being able to work consistently and move things in the right direction.” It has been a long road back to full fitness for the four-time Tour de France champion, and after a couple of tough seasons Froome said it was important to remember he almost lost his life three years ago. ‘I’ve seen a big progression’ – Froome posts best result since horror crash in 2019 ‘Definitely not’ – Froome can forget hopes of winning fifth Tour, says McEwen 'Things are headed in the right direction' — Froome sees light at end of injury tunnel He added: “It’s understandable that people have these expectations given what I’ve achieved in my career, but at the same time people need to remember where I’m coming from these last three years is a completely different place.