Two-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome will ride in next year’s Herald Sun Tour.

In a massive boost for the Victorian event, Froome’s Team Sky announced on their website that he would compete in the February 3-7.

It is the first time a reigning Tour de France champion has raced at Australia’s oldest cycling stage race.

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Froome will start his 2016 campaign at the Herald Sun Tour.

His main aims next season will be to successfully defend his Tour de France title and win gold at the Rio Olympics.

“I’m really pleased to start my 2016 season at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour,” Froome said in a team statement.

“Victoria is a beautiful part of the world and racing in the warm climate will give me a good platform for the new season.

“We don’t often get a chance to race in front of our Australian fans, so we’re all looking forward to seeing them over there as well.”

Froome also won the 2013 Tour de France.

It is extremely rare for a reigning Tour de France champion to race in Australia.

Cadel Evans did not do so after becoming the only Australian to win the Tour in 2011.

Disgraced cycling star Lance Armstrong raced at the Sydney Olympics only a few weeks after claiming his second Tour title.

Froome previously raced at the 2008 Herald Sun Tour as a member of the Barloworld team.

Froome is good friends with Australian cycling star Richie Porte, who has left Sky and will compete next year for BMC.

Last Australian summer, Froome visited Porte in Tasmania.