CHRIS Froome's dominant performance at the Tour de France means he is almost certain to again open his season in Australia in 2017.
Having already told Herald Sun Tour boss John Trevorrow he was keen to return to the Victorian race next summer, Froome's stranglehold on a third yellow jersey which he is expected to seal tonight vindicates his decision to begin his season down under. 
The Team Sky superstar led the Tour de France by 4mins 11 secs going into last night's final mountain stage and with only tonight's parade into Paris standing between him and back to back titles.
It's understood Froome is keen to bring his family to Australia for an extended stay in summer but it is not clear whether that will begin as early as   December 3 when he has committed to riding a community event in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
"I've had emails from him and we had conversations after the Herald Sun Tour that he was already keen to come back, and I've had conversations with (Team Sky boss) Dave Brailsford," Trevorrow said from France last night.
"But they've all had a job to do and I'll have more conversations with them in Paris tomorrow." Froome won the Herald Sun Tour in   February which was the earliest start to his season since 2010 when he rode the Tour Down Under in Adelaide.
His performance in this year's Tour de France smashes a perception that to win in   July a yellow jersey contender cannot afford to be racing so early in the season.
TDU race director Mike Turtur last week confirmed he had spoken with Froome about racing in Adelaide in   January but no announcement has been made.Despite all the drama of this year's Tour de France, Froome has been the strongest and smartest rider in the race. He survived two major scares - the first up Mont Ventoux on Stage 12 when he was forced to run without his bike which was ruined in a crash and the second on Stage 19 when he crashed on slippery roads and finished the stage on team-mate Geraint Thomas' bike.