Chris Froome: 'Egan Bernal’s life is about to change forever’
The four-time Tour de France winner has reflected on watching the race from home
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NYqTr8P2CppBwXWU26HiQe-415-80.jpg)
Chris Froome says Egan Bernal’s life will change beyond recognition after his stunning Tour de France victory, aged just 22.
Bernal is the first Colombian to ever win the French Grand Tour, a historic moment for a nation that is obsessed with the sport.
Froome, a four-time Tour winner, was forced to watch his Team Ineos team-mate from his sick-bed, having broken his leg in a horrific crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné during his build-up to the Tour.
>>> Richie Porte smashes Everest challenge on Col de la Madone just a week after Tour de France
“I could see in the early days with Egan that he’s a huge talent,” said Froome, in his first interview since his career-threatening crash.
“He’s someone who is going to go on to do amazing things in our sport, but I didn’t expect to have him down as the 2019 winner of the Tour de France.
“What he’s achieved is phenomenal. He’s taken on the best in the world and he’s won. I certainly couldn’t have imagined achieving victory like that at such a young age.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
After Froome’s crash, Team Ineos announced that Bernal and 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas would share leadership privileges, with Thomas looking like the stronger rider early in the race.
But the high altitude of the Alps gave Bernal the advantage, as he rode into the yellow jersey on the penultimate mountain stage after landslides caused the race to be stopped.
Bernal rode into Paris as the youngest rider to win the Tour in the post-war era and as the first Colombian, which Froome says will have a huge impact on his life.
Froome added: “Egan’s life is about to change forever. Being in Colombia this year and understanding how big cycling is in Colombia, I don’t quite think he knows what’s going to hit him when he gets home.”
Froome has returned to training, albeit on the turbo trainer and only using one leg, and says his only goal is to return to the Tour de France.
The 34-year-old said: “It was really special to be able to watch it as a fan and knowing [Bernal] so well and knowing all my team-mates and the rest of the riders in the peloton, it made the race really come alive for me.
“As much as I wanted to be there, there was a side of me that really enjoyed just kicking back and watching it this year.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
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.
-
A Stars and Stripes jersey and cold hard cash: the 2024 Gravel National Championships to offer a $40,000 prize purse for elite races
The US Gravel National Championships will return to Gering, Nebraska, on September 8
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
Chris Froome misses out on Tour de France selection
39-year-old absent from Israel-Premier Tech's eight-rider roster
By Tom Davidson Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published