Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso went for a training ride with fellow Spaniard and Tour de France Champion Carlos Satstre and some members of his new Cervélo TestTeam. The event takes place in the same week that Alonso will set off on his maiden voyage with the new Renault car for 2009.

Reportedly, the 27-year-old has dropped almost 9 pounds in preparation for the 2009 season by increasing the road cycling aspect of his training program.

The Cervélo TestTeam is currently holding a training camp in the southern Algarve region of Portugal, where the Formula One racer was able to ride the full 110k route with the team.

“If he trained some more he could be at a very good level in cycling,” Cervélo TestTeam rider Joaquin Novoa told Spanish newspaper Diario AS.

Alonso did a similar training ride with Lance Armstrong back in 2003.