Chris Froome's contract expires at the end of 2020, but the British rider has no plans to retire just yet: the 34-year-old is recovering from a series of injuries, including a broken leg suffered at the Criterium du Dauphiné last June, and the UAE Tour will be his first race in eight months.

Froome has been with Team Ineos since signing with the team's predecessor Sky in 2010, and has established himself as one of the most successful Grand Tour riders of all time, winning four Tour de France races, one Giro d'Italia, and two Vuelta a España

However, he has not won a single race in the past.

However, with Egan Bernal and many other young talents emerging at Ineos, there is always the possibility that Froome will switch teams at the end of the year, as it is still unclear whether he will be able to return to the top.

Several teams have shown interest in the past, but Froome has always re-signed with a British team when offered new terms. His last contract was signed before the 2017 Tour de France.

"I don't think much about it now. Whatever happens, happens," Froome told Cycling News and a small group of reporters at the start of the fourth stage of the UAE Tour.

Asked if he will definitely continue riding after 2020, he simply nodded and replied: "Yes."

The question over whether Froome might sign with another team is certainly a fair one: at 34 years old and without a Grand Tour win since 2018, he may have more opportunities to lead a Tour team with another team. Financial considerations will also be a factor in any decision or progress made through discussions with Ineos.

At the same time, it is unlikely that a new contract will be signed, at least until Froome puts his foot on the block of a serious race.

"I'm obviously loyal to this team, and after 10 years here it feels like home. But at the same time, I need to get something signed before I can continue."

After the UAE Tour, Froome will head to South Africa for another round of training. He mentioned the high altitude camp in an interview with Cycling News this week, but did not reveal the location. He also confirmed that the next race will be the Volta a Catalunya, March 23-29.

"I don't intend to be strong in a couple of days. But I am very happy with how my legs and body feel considering where I came from," he added.

"After this I will do a block of training in South Africa. Then I will go to Catalonia."

Mitchelton-Scott leader Adam Yates won the third stage of the UAE Tour in Jebel Hafeet. Froom finished well down the order after positioning his teammate Eddie Dunbar at the base of the final climb.

"My work was done before I got to the climb. I came here to start the season and start racing. That's what I came here yesterday to do. I was thrilled with the result and it was great to see Eddie up there. Adam's climbing is incredibly impressive and it's hard to find anyone to beat him."