After an eight-month layoff, Chris Froome (Team Ineos) will return to racing on Sunday in the UAE Tour.

Since breaking his leg in last year's Criterium du Dauphiné, four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has made a full recovery.

The leader of Team Ineos looked nervous at times during the press conference before the UAE Tour, held in the luxurious surroundings of the Meridien Hotel. Not surprisingly, given that this is the first real test in front of the cameras since last June, the real test will begin on Sunday with what should be a sprint stage.

In many ways, the UAE Tour is the perfect comeback race for Froome. Despite being a World Tour race, it doesn't have the prestige of similar-level competitions; it's strong but not glamorous; the roads are relatively flat and wide; and while there may be crosswinds, there is little chance of rain.

But Froome is no ordinary rider, and his horrific crash at the Dauphiné last June was no run-of-the-mill accident. While the next few days are unlikely to provide all the answers as to whether he can indeed return to the pinnacle of the sport, they should at least provide the first indication as to whether his hopes of a fifth Tour de France victory are more than a pipe dream.

"After being away from racing for eight months after my crash last June, this feels like my first day back at school again," Froome told reporters, including Cycling News.

"I'm really excited to be here and hope I'm at the right level to get through the race. Obviously I'm not going to win, but I'm really looking forward to racing again."

He was then asked if he ever doubted that he would return to racing. He laughed at this question, as if to suggest that Froome is still in the process of recovering and that this race is just a stepping stone to full health.

As the riders emerged from the press conference and formed an orderly line for the television cameras, Mark Cavendish welcomed his compatriot with warm encouragement. While Cavendish was asked about the sprint finish ahead, Froome's questions naturally focused on his recovery.

"There have been some really tough moments over the last eight months, but the goal has always been to get a fast start," he explained.

"Being here is proof that things are working out the way I wanted them to. I'm really happy to be given a second chance to return to the peloton. I want to do my best to get through this week. We're definitely not going to win this week, but we have to start somewhere. I think this is a great event to start that."

"I'm quietly nervous and excited to be back in the peloton. I've been away from the peloton for so long that it just feels natural."

If Froome can make it through the flat stages, it will be interesting to see how he fares on the summit of Jebel Hafit, where the winner of stages 3 and 5 will be decided.

A strong performance would silence some critics, but the reality is that Froome probably won't be looking at the results sheets as the week progresses. What his legs need is consistent race mileage.

However, lack of power balance in the legs remains a major factor.

"Naturally, the right side of my broken leg is still a little weak, but that's something I'm working on and will be working on for the next few weeks.

"When I'm pedaling, it's not 50/50 on the left side. The left side is working harder than the right side. Rehab is on the back burner for now. Now I'm back on the bike and focused on spending hours in the saddle. I'm still doing a few sessions of rehab each week, trying to work out the imbalances. I'm just doing the best I can each and every day, each and every week."

Cycling News will have all the information on Froome's return to racing and the UAE Tour.