CHRIS FROOME has been airlifted to hospital following a serious cycling crash.
The four-time Tour de France champion has broken several bones but is in a stable condition.
Chris Froome suffered a serious crash in training[/caption]
Froome, pictured here with wife Michelle, will undergo surgery after breaking several bones[/caption]
Froome suffered the crash while on a training ride – but avoided a collision with a vehicle or another bike.
He was airlifted to hospital in Toulon, France, where he will undergo surgery.
Scans have confirmed the former Team GB star has suffered five broken ribs, a fractured lumbar vertebrae and a collapsed lung.
A statement read: “Chris was airlifted to hospital in Toulon 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 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, 40, was conscious after the crash and was able to speak to those who came to his aid, report L’Equipe.
He is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Froome is reportedly out of contract at Israel-Premier Tech at the end of the year but he has squashed talk of retirement.
His last win was the 2018 Giro d’Italia and he has struggled for form since breaking his femur in a crash in 2019, which kept him out of racing for eight months.
Despite that, he plans to stay in cycling for “a few more years”.
He said: “I feel I’ve been given a second chance.
“I’ve been given an opportunity to come back to bike racing and the sport I love. Had the crash marked the end of my career, I’d have felt I still had more to give.
“Even though I’m not at the front end of races now, I’m still getting a lot of pleasure doing my job and being part of the Israel-Premier Tech team.
“It’s as if I’ve rewound 15 years and that I’m looking to get to the top level. It’s a fresh approach for me and hoping to do it for a few more years.”
Froome is married to Michelle and has two children.
He was awarded an OBE in 2018 recognising his incredible cycling feats which have included Tour de France titles in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
