Chris Froome, the four-time Tour de France champion, has been hospitalised after suffering a serious crash during a training ride in France. The 40-year-old cyclist sustained multiple injuries, including a fractured vertebra, five broken ribs, and a collapsed lung. He was airlifted to a hospital in Toulon, where he is now in a stable condition and is set to undergo surgery.
According to his team, Froome’s crash did not involve any other cyclists or vehicles. The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon during what was meant to be a routine training session. Despite the severity of his injuries, it was confirmed that Froome avoided any head trauma, which has provided some relief for his team and fans.
Scans later revealed the full extent of the damage: a lumbar vertebra fracture, broken ribs, and a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Froome’s medical team will perform surgery to stabilise his injuries, with further updates expected once the procedure is completed.
This marks the second major training crash of Froome’s decorated career. In 2019, he suffered life-threatening injuries after colliding with a wall at high speed while training for the Critérium du Dauphiné. That incident left him with a fractured femur, hip, elbow, and ribs, and required a long and difficult recovery. Despite doubts over whether he would return to professional racing, Froome fought his way back to competition, demonstrating resilience and determination.
Throughout his career, Froome has built a legacy as one of cycling’s greatest riders. His victories include four Tour de France titles (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017), two Vuelta a España wins, and a Giro d’Italia triumph. However, the recent accident casts uncertainty over his immediate future, particularly as his current contract with Israel-Premier Tech is set to expire at the end of the season.
While Froome is expected to miss the remainder of the year, his long-term prospects will largely depend on the success of his surgery and recovery process. Fans and fellow riders have already expressed messages of support, hoping to see him back on the bike once again. For now, his focus will be on recovery and regaining his health after another setback in an already remarkable career.
