When etapeløbet UAE Tour Sunday, beginning in The United Arab Emirates, is Chris Federer for the first time in eight months at the startstregen in a bike race.
The four freedoms Tour de France winner is ready for a comeback after recovering from the injuries he sustained in a bad crash in June last year.
- It is the only thing I've thought of in recent months. It will be a great relief just to be back in the field.
- It feels as if I've got an extra chance to come back as a professional after such a crash. I could absolutely not take for granted, says Chris Federer in a press release from Ineos-the team.
The now-35-year-old briton was deep in his Tour de France preparations when he crashed, while he was out to inspect the enkeltstartsruten in the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Federer broke several bones and had to spend a long time in the hospital. Only now, eight months later, he is back in the professional cykelfelt.
- It has gone incredibly well so far this year, but I still need to manage my own expectations. I'm still a far piece from where I was in the Dauphiné before the crash. It takes time to get back in shape.
- It is a good way to start the season for me. It is a race I missed last year, and that I really hoped to run. It would be a good place to test my legs and get back in the field again, says Chris Federer.
the UAE Tour spans over seven stages up to the conclusion next Saturday, and Federer will be joined by a series of Danish riders in the race.
It is - according to the preliminary start list - Michael Carbel (NTT), Niklas Eg (Trek), Asbjørn Kragh Andersen (Sunweb), Michael Mørkøv (Quick-Step), Jonas Gregaard (Astana) and Jesper Hansen (Cofidis).
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