Chris Froome scheduled for Saitama Criterium appearance despite continuing injury trouble
Tour de France champion to appear in Japanese race despite not having ridden his bike since crashing at the Vuelta a España
Chris Froome (Team Sky) is set to make his final race appearance of the season at the Saitama Criterium in Japan in October, despite still recovering from a broken navicular bone in his foot.
The 2015 Tour de France winner abandoned the Vuelta a España after stage 11 due to the injury, having crashed in the opening kilometres as the peloton took on the opening climb of the stage.
Despite finishing the stage that day, the severity of the injury meant Froome was forced to abandon and he said this week on Twitter that he has yet to be able to ride his bike since the crash.
Nevertheless, it appears the Brit has assured event organisers ASO that he would be able to appear at the criterium on October 24, where he'll where his yellow jersey alongside teammate Richie Porte, who will be making his final appearance for Team Sky.
Watch: The best of the 2015 Tour de France
The Sky duo will be joined by other big names like Paris-Roubaix winner John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), as well as Vuelta podium finishers Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and Rafal Majka (Tinkoff-Saxo).
Majka will be joined by his teammate Ivan Basso, who received the all clear from doctors this week after being diagnosed with testicular cancer at the Tour in July.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
2015 Tour de France Saitama Criterium - confirmed riders:
Team Sky: Chris Froome (GB), Richie Porte (Aus)
Team Giant-Alpecin: John Degenkolb, Simon Geschke (Ger)
Team Katusha: Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa)
AG2R La Mondiale: Romain Bardet, Alexis Vuillermoz (Fra)
Tinkoff Saxo: Rafal Majka (Pol), Ivan Basso (Ita)
Team Europcar: Yukiya Arashiro (Jap)
Trek Factory Racing: Fumiyuki Beppu (Jap), Yaroslav Popovych (Ukr)
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
See safely and be seen friendly with RAVEMEN PR2000 headlight
With its wireless remote control and versatile design, this Ravemen front light will keep you running on the darkest nights
By Sam Gupta Published
-
‘There's no point to race for 50th place’: Peter Sagan explains why he’s a cycling esports ambassador but won’t compete
As a MyWhoosh ambassador, Sagan admires the sport’s evolution, but does he have the watts to compete with today’s virtual cycling stars?
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Bullying isn't allowed in other workplaces, professional sport should be no different
Comments about Julian Alaphilippe are just the latest in a long line of examples of bosses in sport going too far
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Tweets of the week: Chris Froome has GoPro problems, and Geraint Thomas grits roads
It might be cold outside, but these hot posts should keep you warm
By Adam Becket Published
-
Symptomatic Chris Froome signed on for Tour de France stage start while awaiting PCR test result
The four-time winner was encouraged to sign on by the race organiser and withdrew from the race minutes after
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Israel-Premier Tech unveils limited edition Tour de France kit
Team launches ‘Field of dreams’ campaign to help kids in Rwanda
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
After injuries that meant he had to learn to walk again, Froome says fans need to manage expectations
The Israel-Premier Tech rider is cycling pain-free for the first time since his 2019 crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné, something he says people should remember
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Chris Froome eager to lose weight after 'baptism of fire' at Coppi e Bartali
The Briton admitted he was 2kg overweight after the Italian race, while confirming he will race the Tour of the Alps
By Ryan Dabbs Published