AIRLIFTED Chris Froome Airlifted to Hospital After Serious Training Crash in France

British four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has been airlifted to hospital after suffering serious injuries in a training crash.

In a statement shared on the cyclist’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, it was confirmed the 40-year-old was involved in a solo crash on Wednesday. No other cyclists or vehicles were reported to have been involved.

“Chris was airlifted to hospital in Toulon yesterday following a serious training crash (no other cyclists or vehicles were involved).

Fortunately Chris is stable and did not sustain any head injuries, however, scans have confirmed a pneumothorax, five broken ribs and a lumbar vertebrae fracture, for which he will undergo surgery this afternoon.

We will update on Chris’ condition following surgery.”

Froome is regarded as one of Britain’s most successful cyclists, having won the Tour de France four times between 2013 and 2017. He also claimed two Olympic bronze medals and multiple Grand Tour titles during his career.

This is not the first time Froome has been badly injured in training. In 2019, he suffered multiple fractures in a high-speed crash while preparing for the Critérium du Dauphiné, which kept him out of competition for a year.

The latest crash will raise fresh questions about his racing future, though supporters across the cycling world have already begun sending messages of encouragement online.

Further updates on Froome’s condition are expected following surgery in Toulon later today.