Chris Froome is determined to win the Volta a Catalunya after riding the race the past two years feeling considerably under the weather, finishing sixth and 71st.

“He will focus to win the race,” Sky sport director Nicolas Portal told VeloNews. “It will be a good week in Catalunya, with a good group around him.”

Indeed, Froome begins the race with Paris-Nice winner Geraint Thomas, Ian Boswell, Leopold König, Wout Poels, Nicolas Roche, Mikel Nieve, and Vasil Kiryienka on his squad. Portal says Froome is fresh from training in South Africa and is ready to go after almost two months without racing and his team is also firing on all cylinders.

“He’s been training well in South Africa, and this is his first race since Australia, so he is motivated,” Portal said. “Our plan is to have the guys who race ready to race to win. When you are selected on this team, it is because you are in good condition.”