Cycling: Bardet Hits Out At Froome Boo-boys
Muhammad Rameez Published July 17, 2017 | 05:05 PM
(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Jul, 2017 ) Bardet on Monday hit out at French fans from his home region who jeered Tour de France leader Chris Froome. The 15th stage of the Tour passed through Bardet's Auvergne region on Sunday where he basked in passionate support while Froome was subjected to jeers and insults from some people.
AG2R leader Bardet was runner-up to Froome last year and this year sits just 23 seconds behind the Sky team leader in third place. "It was great to be supported like never before, it felt like I was in the Marcel Michelin stadium over 189 kilometres," said Bardet, referring to the ground of the French rugby union champions Clermont, the top team in the Auvergne.
"It was great to go through that, even though there was a slight snag to it. "I heard that Froome was abused at times.
I'm really sorry, he's a champion who should be respected, who I respect as a rival and who doesn't deserve that kind of treatment." It's not the first time Froome has found himself facing the ire and even hatred of fans by the roadside.
Two years ago at the Tour he had urine thrown over him, was spat at, insulted and one of his Sky team-mates was even struck. That time Froome was pretty shaken up by his treatment but he brushed off Sunday's incidents.
"It's to be expected if this is Romain Bardet's home stage. It's understandable that all the locals around here are supporting him -- that's bike racing," he said on Sunday. "The support on the roads has been fantastic so far and I want to thank everybody -- it's been a great atmosphere."
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
6 hours ago -
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
6 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
6 hours ago -
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results
8 hours ago -
Inaugurate of fitness gym at Ayum Stadium on 25th April
8 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
8 hours ago
-
Women’s One-Day tournament: Multan beat Rawalpindi, Quetta beat Peshawar, Lahore beat Karachi
8 hours ago -
Argentinian Etcheverry sees off Norrie to head into Barcelona Open semis
10 hours ago -
Pakistan all set to face New Zealand tomorrow
11 hours ago -
Duplantis to unleash 'inner' pole vault contest as Olympics beckon
11 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results
11 hours ago -
'All-or-nothing' Norris takes sprint pole in rain chaos at Chinese GP
12 hours ago