Egan Bernal wants to see Chris Froome in the 2020 Tour de France
The reigning champion says Froome’s Tour-winning knowledge is important
Egan Bernal said he wants to see Chris Froome riding alongside him at the 2020 Tour de France.
Colombian star Bernal returns to the Tour as the reigning champion and the race favourite, after re-starting his season well in smaller French stage races.
But Froome’s place in the Team Ineos Tour de France squad is in doubt, as he hasn’t shown his previous form in the first two weeks of racing after the coronavirus break.
While speaking to ITV at the 2020 Critérium du Dauphiné, Bernal was asked if he wanted Froome in the squad later this month.
The 23-year-old said: “For sure, he's one rider who has a lot of experience. To have a seven-time Grand Tour winner in the team is important. I would like to have him in the team.”
Bernal took third on the opening day of racing at the Dauphine as the best-placed general classification contender as Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) secured another big win.
On his intentions for the rest of the Dauphine, Bernal said: “I will try to go for the GC, I think it will be a good opportunity to see how my performance is and I’ll try to do my best and prepare for the Tour de France.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“I think the most important goal for us should be ride as a team and start to feel the real feeling of what it’ll be like in the Tour, try to be there in the GC but looking at the Tour de France more than anything else.”
Bernal came out swinging in his first race of the reset season, taking the overall title at La Route d’Occitanie earlier this month.
He was strong again last week in the Tour de l’Ain, but Team Ineos were bested by Jumbo-Visma with Primož Roglič taking the win, with Bernal finishing second.
Froome finished the Tour de l’Ain in 41st place, more than 20 minutes down on the race leaders.
Despite the poor result overall, the four-time Tour de France winner put in a strong support performance during the early climbs on the final day of the Tour de l’Ain, sharing his Strava stats after the stage.
According to reports, the Team Ineos squad for the 2020 Tour is almost settled with Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas taking on the leadership duties once again, with Pavel Sivakov working in a key domestique role.
>>> The 2020 World Championships in Switzerland have been cancelled
But the final place in the team is not yet decided, with Froome still fighting for his place if the reports are to be believed.
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.
-
Introducing the start-up that helps cyclists find local mechanics and get a 'better service'
'We want to support the majority of the smaller, independent chains that are out there,' says Bikebook founder
By Tom Davidson Published
-
What pressure are you running? Three different pressure monitoring systems, put to the test
Real-time pressure sensors allow you to test your own tire pressures to go faster, be more comfortable, and get fewer flats
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Egan Bernal's best result since crash opens door to Tour de France selection: 'We need him competitive for us in the biggest races'
The Colombian revealed that some of his power numbers are better than before his crash in January 2022
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'We were lucky with the weather': Brandon McNulty admits rain helped UAE Emirates edge Paris-Nice stage three team time trial
American pulled on the yellow jersey after a rain soaked finale to stage three in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Did Egan Bernal accidentally leak the 2024 Ineos Grenadiers kit? Ineos and Bioracer part ways
Colombian 2019 Tour de France champion posted an image of a new jersey online before quickly deleting it
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Chords to cols: How Jonas Vingegaard went from guitars to Grand Tours
If he'd followed a music teacher's advice the 2022 Tour de France winner might have ended up starring on a different type of stage
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Egan Bernal heads back to Tour de France 'ambitious' but 'realistic'
The 2019 winner is targeting general classification at his first Tour since life-threatening accident
By Adam Becket Published
-
Roll on the Tour de France: Jonas Vingegaard ready after dominant Critérium du Dauphiné win
Tadej Pogačar is seemingly the only man in the world in between the Dane and a second Tour title
By Adam Becket Published
-
From doubts to a first pro win: Mikkel Bjerg takes stage four and yellow jersey at Critérium du Dauphiné
Jonas Vingegaard most impressive of general classification contenders on hot day in the Loire
By Adam Becket Published