Thursday 27 July 2017 16:55, UK
Chris Froome has set his sights on becoming the first cyclist in 39 years to win the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana back-to-back in the same year.
Froome, fresh from securing his fourth Tour title, has switched his focus towards next month's Spanish Grand Tour - the third of cycling's big three, after the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.
He will also attempt to become the first British rider to win Spain's national race, which this year starts on August 19 in Nimes and ends on September 10 in Madrid, if triumphant.
The Team Sky cyclist has previously finished second in Vuelta on three occasions; most recently he finished second to Nairo Quintana in 2016.
"I've got the opportunity and I'm certainly going to go for it," Froome said. "The Vuelta is a race I love - it's vicious but it's three weeks that I enjoy.
"I've come second three times now and I'd love to win. To win both the Tour and the Vuelta in one year would be absolutely incredible."
The Vuelta is the third of cycling's three Grand Tours, along with the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.
Froome may face competition in the general classification with Romain Bardet, Fabio Ardu and Alberto Contador all expected to be on the start line. While Vincenzo Nibali, who missed the Tour, is expected to make a return to the fray.
Team Sky principal Sir Dave Brailsford is confident his lead rider can complete a historic double.
"There's no reason why not. We've got four weeks to the start of the Vuelta," he said.
"We've got a couple of races in between but we'll dust ourselves down a little bit and go and do it all over again."
