Two hundred people turned up for a bike ride with Chris Froome – that was only announced hours before.

The double Tour de France champion expressed surprise to see so many people on an impromptu ride from Southampton University to Winchester, which set off just after 3pm yesterday.

However, only 30 people apparently managed to keep up with Froome on the 72.5km route, which headed into the South Downs – this was no leisure ride for him.

Chris Froome collects his OBE

Froome told the Daily Echo: “We were down here doing some wind tunnel testing and I need to get a ride in today.

“Participation in cycling has exploded recently and I thought it would be a really good thing to get people on their bikes.

“I didn’t think many would turn up, I was expecting about 20 people and seeing this many people is just incredible.

“This is really exciting and it is a good way to interact with fans.”

Froome, who was awarded his OBE for services to cycling on Friday at Buckingham Palace, posed for selfies and signed autographs after the ride. He also stopped to chat to Southampton University Road Cycling Club