LONDON: Chris Froome has set his sights on an historic double as the Tour de France champion confirmed he will race in the ‘vicious’ Vuelta a Espana. Froome claimed his fourth yellow jersey in Paris on Sunday and now he hopes to become the first rider in 22 years to win both the Tour and the Vuelta in the same year. The 32-year-old has finished second three times in the Vuelta and believes he can go one better this time despite the formidable test provided by the Spanish race. Romain Bardet, Fabio Aru, and Alberto Contador are all expected to ride, while Vincenzo Nibali, who missed the Tour, may also be a strong contender. “I’ve got the opportunity and I’m certainly going to go for it,” Froome said on Team Sky’s website. “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.” The Vuelta is the third of cycling’s three Grand Tours, along with the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. No British rider has ever won the Vuelta a Espana, which this year starts on August 19 in Nimes and ends on September 10 in Madrid. Published in Daily Times, July 28th 2017.