Chris Froome looks ahead to RideLondon - and Rio

Chris Froome says his participation in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic tomorrow will give him an opportunity to thank British fans for their support during the Tour de France, which he won for the third time in four years last week. It will be the first time Froome has taken part in the 202.3-kilometre race, now in its fourth edition.

"I’m really looking forward to it,” said the Team Sky rider, who will be riding his first race in the UK since the Grand Depart of the 2014 Tour de France in Yorkshire.

“Every year there are more and more British fans who come out to every corner of France to see the Tour. They really make their presence felt and give brilliant backing to me, Team Sky and the other British riders.

"It makes such a huge difference and so it will be good to return the favour and come back to ride in the UK and thank them for that support."

Besides Froome, the Team Sky line-up for the race features Geraint Thomas and Ian Stannard – both of whom rode the Tour de France – Christian Knees, Ben Swift, Danny van Poppel

He said that while the race would be “great preparation for Rio” – the Olympic road race is next Saturday – that won’t be the sole focus tomorrow.

"We’re definitely coming to try to win the race,” Froome said.”We’ve got a strong line up that covers a lot of bases. It’s a race that can go a number of different ways depending on the conditions and how hard the teams choose to ride, so whilst we have really strong options if it does come down to a sprint, we’ll be well prepared for all eventualities.

“It’s a race that does have a proper Classics feel to it, with changing types of road condition and enough in there to make it tricky for the sprinters if it's ridden full on."

Looking ahead to the Olympics, where he will ride in the time trial as well as the road race, he said: "I’m going to Rio in good form and I’m really looking forward to it.

“One day races are always hard to predict but the road race course is one that should hopefully suit me and so I will be giving it my best shot.

“I rode well in the time trials at the Tour, finishing second and first, and so hopefully I can continue that form and bring home a medal for Team GB."

With Thomas and Stannard riding for Team Sky tomorrow alongside Froome, and Steve Cummings lines up for Dimension Data, Orica-BikeExchange’s Adam Yates – who is riding today in the Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian, a race he won last year – is the sole member of the Rio road squad missing.

Froome said: "It will be fantastic to see the fans just before we head off to Rio. Anybody who took part in London 2012 will tell you what a huge impact that home backing had, so being in London and being able to experience that support again just a week before the Games is the next best thing."