Chris Froome still set to race in Vuelta a Espana

Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford has confirmed that Chris Froome is still scheduled to compete in the Vuelta a Espana despite such a short turnaround following the Rio Olympic Games.

Froome successfully defended his Tour de France title last weekend, winning the prestigious race for a third time, and has now turned his attention to winning Olympic gold.

The Brit will ride in the road race on August 6 in Brazil and also contest the time trial four days later.

Team Sky team principal Brailsford confirmed that Froome will then return to Europe for the Vuelta, which starts just 10 days after the Olympic time trial, provided he stays injury-free.

Brailsford told Sky Sports: "That's the plan at the minute. The season-long plan was Tour, on to the Olympics and on after that to the Vuelta, and that's still the outline at the minute.

"As we go through the next phase with the Olympics, we will assess it as we go along. All being well, that's what we will be doing."

Brailsford also stated that Mikel Landa is due to line up for Team Sky in the Vuelta, but would not be drawn on the Spaniard's role in his homeland.

"The plan is for Mikel to do it and we will assess where he is at. I think he needs another race before the Vuelta, so we will see where we are at." he added.

"It's his home race and a lot of the race is around his home town and up in the north of Spain, and we have big ambitions for him as well."