Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has been airlifted to hospital after suffering multiple injuries in a crash in southern France.
The 40-year-old Briton was flown to hospital by helicopter on Wednesday afternoon after the crash near Toulon, about 170 kilometres from his home in Monaco.
Froome’s team described the accident as “serious” but said he was in stable condition and did not suffer any head injuries. Scans revealed that he sustained five broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a fracture in his lower back. He is scheduled to undergo back surgery on Thursday.
French newspaper L’Equipe reported that Froome was conscious when he arrived at hospital and was able to speak to doctors. No other cyclists were involved in the crash.
Froome is one of the most decorated cyclists in history, with four Tour de France titles, two Olympic bronze medals in the individual time trial, and an OBE for his services to cycling. He last won the Tour in 2017, and only four riders have claimed more victories than him.
The Israel-Premier Tech rider, who is out of contract at the end of the year, is now expected to miss the rest of the season.
This is not the first major setback for Froome. In 2019, he missed the Tour de France after crashing into a wall during training and spending time in intensive care.
Froome has previously hinted that 2025 could be his final year of professional racing.
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