Horse Races Tour de France Bicyclists

Competitors in the Tour de France are used to all sorts of distractions along their route, including hooved race fans: a horse and rider were captured on video racing the group of cyclists earlier this week.

Howard Baker of the Essex Farmers and Union galloped in a field alongside the racers aboard his horse Harry, who is competing in a inter-hunt relay at the Festival of Hunting at Peterborough in July. Baker is a fan of the Tour and decided to have a bit of fun.

Baker reported that Harry was unfazed by the brightly-colored, Spandex-ed competitors beside him.

Baker and Harry are not the first riders to join the famous bicycle race, whether for fun or a few minutes of fame. Several horseback riders also appeared in the coverage during Stage 7 on Friday:

Read more and see video of Harry at The Horse and Hound