Froome heads to Britain ahead of Worlds and Lombardia

Chris Froome will start final preparations for his end-of-season goals at the Tour of Britain on Saturday. He will support his Barloworld teammates in Britain ahead of two key races: the World Championships and Giro di Lombardia.

"I will use Britain as a bit of a stepping stone," Froome told Cyclingnews. "I will work as a domestique for our sprinters, I am more than happy to do that to help my condition for the World Championships."

The Tour of Britain starts in Scunthorpe and finishes in London on next Saturday. Froome will race with teammates Robert Hunter, Steve Cummings, Geraint Thomas, Michele Merlo and Carlo Scognamiglio.

It is Froome's last race prior to the World Championships, September 27, in Mendrisio, Switzerland. He will form part of the nine-man British team with Bradley Wiggins, who finished fourth overall at the Tour de France, and David Millar as captains.

"[The Worlds course] is very hilly," said Froome, who's home in Como, Italy, is nearby the Championship parcours. "It is technical, the descents are tricky. You have to stay at the front all day, if you drift towards the back you will fall off the pace."

Great Britain will name its complete team in the coming days. Steve Cummings can also lead the team, said Froome of his Barloworld teammate.

"It will be a good race for Wiggins and Millar, they're natural favourites based on how they've been riding."

Both Cummings and Froome are planning on leaving Barloworld at the end of this season. Sources say they will ride for new British team Sky.

Froome started his professional career with a Kenyan racing licence, but switched to a British licence in January 2008. It will be his second World Championships racing with the British team.

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