Chris Froome has announced his intention to return to the Tour de France this year and win the French Grand Tour for a record-tying fifth time. The feat is a "big" motivation for him as he returns from devastating injuries sustained in a crash at the Criterium du Dauphiné last June.

In his first video interview of 2020, recorded at the Team Ineos training camp in Gran Canaria, the four-time Tour de France winner said he has completed the rehabilitation phase of his recovery and has moved on to regular training.

"With the Tour de France as my only goal, until then I will be working hard every week, every training camp, every race to get the most out of it and be ready for July and be on the start line in Nice in July," Froome said in a video published on the Team Ineos website. He said.

Froome's comments come a day after Team Ineos boss Dave Brailsford released a video announcing that 2018 winner Geraint Thomas and 2019 winner Eoghan Bernal would be the Tour de France co-leaders for the British team. The announcement was made.

"At the moment, the idea is that Richard [Carapaz] will compete in the Giro [in Italy] and try to retain the title there, and Gelant and Egan will try and focus on the Tour," Brailsford said, adding that Froome has not done any serious training for over six months, most of it completely He added that he is still working toward a position on the team by returning to top form after being off the bike.

"And, of course, having Chris back," Brailsford said in a Team Ineos video. 'He still craves that fifth win and is working hard to get back to the level he needs to be to be competitive.' That's what we're working on and that's where we are right now. We're in a good position."

Froom joined his teammates at the Gran Canaria camp a week ago and has been training normally on the sunny Spanish island.

"I've been cleared to get back on the bike, so I'm just transitioning from the rehab phase to regular training again. But you have to start somewhere, and I'm incredibly lucky to be back on the bike again and everything is working right."

"I'm fully aware that the next few months are going to be pretty tough. There will be a lot of hard work ahead, a lot to recover from and a lot to get back to where we were. But I've had great support to get me this far, and I know I'm going to be able to really immerse myself in my training, put in some miles on the bike, and get strong again."

This first training period is very important, said Froome, as it will prepare him until July.

"It's where you lay the foundation for all the hard work that's coming. So now we just have to fill in the road time that we haven't been able to do for the last six months."

Froome said the test will be one of the toughest of his career, as he looks to make a comeback from an injury that has led to speculation that his career as a Grand Tour rider is over.

"It's hard to deal with what you've lost and coming from such a rock bottom and at the same time being so busy with all the rehab," he said.

"Every week I'm getting better and better and getting closer and closer to being able to ride the bike," said Froome, "and that's really encouraging.

"That's really positive for me and really encouraging," Froome said. "It's a really good feeling to be here with the team right now, in training camp, doing the same rides as everyone else. It feels great."

Although he missed many important races and training sessions, Froome's extended absence from competition allowed him to stay home much longer than usual, giving him a chance to recharge his mental batteries.

"Obviously, not being able to ride the bike for training, racing, and all that, means I get to spend more time at home with my family. For example, I haven't spent a summer with my kids in years. That's great."

Froom's video interview concluded with him thanking his fans and supporters for their letters and encouragement, and seeing him back on his bike and riding to victory in the Tour.

"Going for my fifth yellow jersey is a big deal for me. I'm going for my fifth yellow jersey, which is a big deal for me," he said. There are no guarantees in the sport and there are no guarantees that I will be able to come back and challenge, but I will give it my all."