Froome gets expert backing

“Athletes often have a lower resting heart rate but are able to achieve a very high maximal oxygen consumption at their peak heart rate.”

There is nothing unusual in Tour de France leader Chris Froome’s maximum heart rate being 168 beats per minute, according to a consultant cardiologist.

Froome, the 2013 Tour champion, has faced renewed scrutiny after dominating the first mountain stage of the 102nd edition of the race to take a near three-minute lead.