Chris Froome returns to cycling, but not on a traditional road bike: he will be one of 32 athletes who will take on the water bike crossing from Viareggio to Monaco on June 19-20. The British cyclist will be accompanied by other renowned former riders such as our Pippo Pozzato and Danish Jakob Fuglsang, forming teams that will participate in a relay for charitable purposes. The initiative, known as Together Crossing for the Pelagos, is promoted by the foundations of Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco to raise awareness about respect for marine ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabits them.

The Charitable Crossing

A total of 225 kilometers will be covered in open sea, departing from Viareggio in Tuscany and transiting through Italian, French, and then Monegasque territorial waters before concluding the journey in the Principality of Monaco after two days, weather permitting. The 32 participants will be divided into eight groups of four and will take turns covering the route, escorted by support and assistance vessels. The Together Crossing for the Pelagos event is part of the program for the 17th edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative (MBI), which launched on May 27 at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, supported by the Foundation promoted by Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II of Monaco, who have signed a partnership agreement. The event leverages the promotional and visibility platform of sport and prominent former athletes to spread knowledge and awareness about the protection of seas and oceans to the general public.

As suggested by the project's name itself, at the heart of the crossing will be the passage through the so-called Pelagos Sanctuary (or Cetacean Sanctuary), a vast internationally protected marine area covering approximately 87,500 square kilometers located in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea, which is jointly managed by Italy, France, and the Principality of Monaco for the purpose of protecting biodiversity, particularly the marine mammals that populate its waters.

For Froome, this will be an unusual return to cycling, as he has not yet officially announced his retirement from competition following the end of his contract with Israel-Premier Tech (now known as NSN Cycling Team), although it seems to be a foregone conclusion, especially after yet another definitive crash last summer. Water bikes are typically structured using stationary bike or spinning bike mechanisms mounted on a frame connected to two large floats. Pedaling moves the propellers that provide propulsion to the system. There are single or tandem models and customized versions also available for marine rescue services.