'This is just a stepping stone' - Chris Froome backed for Tour de France return after untimely exit

Adam Blythe and Robbie McEwen have both backed Chris Froome (Israel Premier-Tech) to return to the Tour de France next year after his untimely 2022 exit. Froome had to withdraw from the Tour ahead of Stage 18 after testing positive for Covid. Ad/> The four-time Tour winner has struggled for form since his career-threatening crash at the Criterium du Dauphine back in 2019, but showed flickers of his former prowess at the 2022 Tour, most notably on the Alp d’Huez.

Tour de FranceVingegaard waiting for Pogacar is a 'beautiful moment in the sport'2 HOURS AGO The Brit sat in the top 20 on general classification ahead of Thursday’s positive test, and Eurosport experts Adam Blythe and Robbie McEwen insist that this setback does not mark the beginning of the end for the 37-year-old. Far from it. “He was flying,” began Adam Blythe.

“He came third on the Alp d’Huez stage. “That's the first time in a long time we've seen him in that kind of form, where he's able to properly race.” Vingegaard waiting for Pogacar is a 'beautiful moment in the sport' Vingegaard on verge of Tour title after blowing away Pogacar on incredible day Vingegaard waits for Pogacar after crash in 'incredible' sporting moment After announcing his withdrawal, Froome said that while he was disappointed, he had already earmarked a run at the Vuelta, and Blythe believes that the seven-time Grand Tour winner will use that as a precursor to another run at the Tour de France. “I don't think that this is the last we're going to see of him at the Tour,” added Blythe.