Chris Froome said a new generation of young talent, including Team Ineos teammate Egan Bernal, has "raised the bar" for him in his quest to regain full fitness and win his fifth Tour de France, the most in history.

Froome missed last year's Tour after breaking his femur, elbow, and ribs in a crash at the Criterium du Dauphiné. In his absence, Bernal took the overall win ahead of 2018 winner Geraint Thomas.

Froome is set to join two others in the Team Ineos lineup for this year's Tour, which has been rescheduled from August 29 to September 20, and all three have been asked to prepare for their potential leadership roles.

In an interview with Raymond Kerkhofs of the Dutch magazine Helden (open in new tab), Froome praised the abilities of Bernal, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), and Remco Evenpor (Detunink Quickstep), saying that their arrival in the peloton was motivating, he said.

"It's true that a new generation is emerging and we look old," Froome said. 'Players like Evenpoel, Pogacar, and Bernal are phenomenal. I can't believe they are doing so well at such a young age. I think it's great, a huge boost for the cycling world."

"They also make cycling challenging for us "old guys". But their growth is an additional motivation for me as well. I can't keep preparing for big races like I used to. The bar has been raised by these super-talents, and we have to match it. We also have to improve on all levels, be it training or nutrition. If we want to beat the younger players, we have to push ourselves to our limits."

Froom's interview with Helden, published this week, took place at the UAE Tour in February, his first return to racing since his crash at the 2019 Dauphiné. Froom underwent a rigorous rehabilitation program during the rest period, but said the break from racing helped him recharge.

"I'm going to do everything I can to get back to my old level or even stronger," Froome said.

"It takes a lot of willpower to achieve that, and taking six or seven months off the bike has given me extra energy. Now, after a long workout, I don't feel tired the next day. On the contrary, I feel like pushing my limits again in the morning. My mind is very fresh. I have a great desire to fight for victory at the front again.

Despite reports of a possible mid-season move, Froome could be competing with Bernal and Thomas for the leadership of Team Ineos at the Tour de France, which begins in Nice on August 29.

Froome said his biggest ambition is to carry the maillot jaune to Paris for the first time since 2017, his fifth overall.

"The Tour de France is my most important challenge, my fifth Tour victory is unique," Froome said.

"This milestone has been my motivation during the difficult months to return to the highest level. To achieve the same number of overall wins as Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain is huge."