Article content PARIS - In the absence of injured four-times winner Chris Froome, all eyes will be on his 22-year-old Ineos team mate Egan Bernal to fill the void at the Tour de France. Bernal, looking to become the first Colombian to win cycling’s most prestigious race, has been promoted to Ineos co-leader after defending champion Geraint Thomas’s preparations were hampered by a crash at the Tour de Suisse won by Bernal. Cycling-Colombian Bernal takes Tour spotlight in Froome's absence Back to video "It’s no secret my build-up has been affected by the crash at Tour de Suisse, but I’ve had a good block of training since and I feel ready," said Thomas. Article content "Discussing with the team, we believe it makes sense to go into the race with joint leaders as it gives us more options. Egan and I will work hard for each other and the team over the three weeks of the race.