BRUSSELS, April 27, 2010 (AFP) – Britain’s Chris Froome is among a trio of riders who have been targeted by an environmental group — for throwing empty water bottles into the Belgian countryside during a top race.

According to the Vers l’Avenir newspaper ‘Coalition Nature’ has lodged an official complaint with a court in Namur following last week’s Fleche-Wallonne semi-classic, won by Australia’s world champion Cadel Evans.

Bike racers can drink several litres of fluids during one-day races and stages, and their discarded empties are often picked up and cherished by fans at the road side.

But that tradition, usually tolerated by the communes and regions hosting races, did not wash with Coalition Nature, who were spurned into action after watching the events unfold on television.

Prior to the race several environmental groups from Walloon appealed the Belgian cycling federation to change the rules by introducing sanctions for riders found discarding their rubbish by the roadside.

As well as Team Sky rider Froome, Belgian Benjamin Gourgue (Landbouwkrediet) and Frenchman Blel Kadri (AG2R) also participated in “acts of pollution” according to the group.

For now, the Belgian court has yet to decide whether to pursue the case.