Chris Froome, whose knee injury interrupted his 2022 start, will return to racing at the upcoming Settimana Coppi e Bartali.

The 36-year-old Israeli Premier Tech rider, who has not raced since the season-ending Fall Classic last October, will return to Italy for a five-day race beginning Tuesday, March 22.

In January, Froome explained that a right knee injury forced him to take a week off.

With the tendon inflammation gone and a gradual return to full training, the four-time Tour de France champion was ready to return to racing.

"Starting the race with an injury wasn't ideal, but I've worked hard to regain my fitness, and I'm happy to be back on the podium. [Fortunately, it was only a small setback. My first race is in Coppi e Bartali, so I'm looking forward to taking on the 2022 season. It's always a great experience to race in Italy and I can't wait to get out there with my teammates."

In January, Froome said he did not know when he would be able to return to racing after his knee injury. Froome will begin his second season with Israel Premier Tech in late March.

"It's pretty delicate; I have to rest it completely for a week and then start gradually without any load for two or three weeks," Froome said in January.

"It's definitely a setback for me. I'm not too sure where I want to start the racing season. This is definitely going to set everything back a little bit."

Froome, who has recently questioned the place of time trial bikes, gravel, and data in road cycling, previously competed in the Settimana Coppi e Bartali in 2009.

His team has confirmed that his post-race program will be determined in the coming weeks.