Chris Froome, four-time Tour de France champion, has been airlifted to a Toulon hospital after suffering a collapsed lung, broken back, and five broken ribs in a severe solo training crash in France.
Froome, age 40, remains stable with no head injuries and is set to undergo back surgery. His team, Israel-Premier Tech, confirmed that no other vehicles or cyclists were involved.
Watch for all the updates on Froome’s condition, details about the crash, a look back at his incredible cycling career, and reactions from the pro cycling world.
Stay tuned for developments on Froome’s surgery, expected recovery timeline, and implications for his season. #ChrisFroome #CyclingNews #tourdefrance
A shocking and serious setback has struck Chris Froom, one of cycling’s most celebrated champions as he faces surgery following a severe training accident. Froom, a four-time tour to France winner, was urgently airlifted to a hospital in Tulon, France after sustaining multiple critical injuries during a solo crash while training. But here’s where it gets controversial. despite his experience and skill. This incident raises questions about the risks even elite athletes face during routine training sessions. According to an official statement from Froom’s team, the 40-year-old rider suffered a collapsed lung, five broken ribs, and a fractured lumbar vertebrae. Thankfully, he avoided any head injuries, which could have been far more devastating. The crash occurred on Wednesday and Froom was immediately transported by helicopter to receive emergency medical care. His team confirmed that no other cyclists or vehicles were involved in the accident, emphasizing that this was a solitary crash. The statement posted on Froom’s X, formerly Twitter account detailed the situation. Chris was airlifted to hospital in Tulon yesterday afternoon 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 numaforax, five broken ribs, and a lumbar vertebrae fracture for which he will undergo surgery this afternoon. We will update on Chris’s condition following surgery. For those wondering how to stay updated on breaking sports news like this, here’s a quick guide. Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store by searching for The Guardian. If you already have the app, ensure it’s updated to the latest version. Then open the app. Tap the menu button at the bottom right. Navigate to settings, the gear icon, and select notifications. From there, turn on sport notifications to receive realtime alerts. This is not the first time Froom has faced a life-threatening crash during training. Back in 2019, he injured a terrifying accident while riding at 37 mph during a reconnaissance lap for the Cretarium Dofen. In that incident, Froom took his hand off the handlebars to blow his nose and a sudden gust of wind caused him to lose control and crash into a wall, knocking him unconscious. He was airlifted to the hospital and found to have fractured his right femur, broken his hip, fractured his elbow, and sustained broken ribs. Reflecting on that crash, Froom admitted he was lucky to be alive. Froom’s career is nothing short of remarkable. He has won the tour to France four times, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017. the Vulta Aspa twice 2011 and 2017 and the Jiro D’Italia in 2018. Despite these incredible achievements, his recent injuries and the fact that he is currently without a contract beyond this year add a layer of uncertainty to his future in professional cycling. The Israel Premier Tech rider is expected to miss the rest of the season as he recovers from his latest injuries. This situation sparks a broader debate. Should professional cyclists face stricter safety protocols during training? Or is the inherent risk simply part of the sport? And what does this mean for Froom’s legacy and career moving forward? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you believe Froom can make a full comeback, or is this a sign that even the greatest athletes have limits? Share your opinions in the comments below.