Chris Froome joined by young Colombian fan on training ride
Looks like the Team Sky leader could have some competition
Team Sky’s leader Chris Froome is being put through his paces out in Colombia.
The Brit has travelled to South America ahead of his first race of the season later this month.
He and team-mates, including Egan Bernal, have been putting in some miles at high altitude in preparation for their Grand Tour targets later in the year.
But it looks like Froome may have been put through his paces by a young Colombian fan while out riding.
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The youngster was filmed riding alongside Froome on his old school race bike, complete with down tube gear shifters.
Riding with a Team Sky bidon in hand, the fan keeps up with Froome in the 13 second video posted online, and even gives the camera a thumbs up.
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The clip is a pretty heart-warming sight, as the lad looks ecstatic about riding alongside one of the greatest Grand Tour riders of his generation.
Froome is in Colombia to ride the Tour Colombia stage race, which stars on Tuesday, February 12.
The 33-year-old has also been putting in some unorthodox training miles, taking his Pinarello Bolide time trial bike off road for one ride he later uploaded to Strava.
Froome will be riding Tour Colombia with young star Egan Bernal, who is due to lead his first Grand Tour in only his second year at WorldTour level.
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Colombian Bernal, winner of the Tour Colombia last year, will lead Team Sky at the Giro d’Italia.
Froome said he believes the 22-year-old is capable of winning the Italian three-week race at his first attempt.
While 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas is expected to return to defend his yellow jersey, recent talk has suggested he made also ride the Giro alongside Bernal.
Froome said the Giro route perfectly suits Thomas.
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Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
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