VIDEO: Chris Froome re-enacts famous Mont Ventoux run

While appearing at the Étape London sportive, the Tour de France winner showed fans how to run with a bike

Chris Froome, a three-time winner of the world’s most famous cycle race, joined thousands of amateur cyclists at ICAP L’Etape London by Le Tour de France on Sunday 25th September

Froome’s appearance inspired riders, who had travelled from all over the UK and beyond, to complete the popular sportive which has quickly become a firm favourite in the cycling calendar. As well as great riding, cyclists enjoyed a number of Le Tour de France experiences including the red Skoda’s and podium finish synonymous with the pro event.

With distances of 79km, 147km and 185.5km offered, riders had plenty of choice when it came to picking their route, and the majority had confidently picked the longest available. The course followed many of the same roads as Stage Three from the Grand Départ of the 2014 Tour de France. The start and finish were dominated by the iconic Lee Valley VeloPark, instantly recognisable from the 2012 Olympic Games, including the excitement of finishing with a timed lap around the Park. Once passing underneath the famous red arch, the riders were encouraged to do the 1km as fast as possible to see how fast a time they could post; a task significantly easier for those that hadn’t spent 8 hours completing the long route course.

Chris Froome helped start off the waves of cyclists, offering words of advice and encouragement that would help them over the coming hours and miles. Afterwards he jumped on his bike and joined riders on the course to ride over to a feed station on route, and provided much needed encouragement and SiS energy gels to passing riders. Carolyn Lawrence who rode on the day said: “For me it was a chance in a lifetime to meet such a wonderful person and I will always remember it”