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File image of Britain's Chris Froome climbing the Col de la Croix de Fer pass during the twelfth stage of the Tour de France cycling race. (AP Photo)
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was airlifted to hospital for surgery after a “serious” crash during training that left him with multiple injuries.
The 40-year-old Briton was taken to a facility in Toulon after suffering broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a back fracture.
His cycling team, Israel-Premier Tech described the incident as “serious” but said Froome hadn’t sustained any head injuries and was in a stable condition. They said that the crash took place on Wednesday and no other riders were involved.
“However, scans have confirmed a pneumothorax, five broken ribs, and a lumbar vertebrae fracture, for which he will undergo surgery this afternoon,” the team informed on social media.
French newspaper L’Equipe reported that Froome was conscious on arrival at the hospital and was able to speak to medical staff.
One of the most successful cyclists in the sport’s history, Froome won his first Tour de France crown in 2013 before taking the honour for three years in a row from 2015 to 2017. Only four men – Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain – have won more Tour de France titles. He is also a double Olympic medallist, winning bronze in the individual time trial at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Froome’s seven Grand Tour wins include two Vuelta a Espana triumphs and one in the Giro d’Italia. He also has a bronze medal from the 2017 World Championships.
Froome had conveyed earlier that 2025 could be his final year in competitive cycling.
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Wednesday’s crash wasn’t the first major won he has suffered in his career.
Six years ago, he was ruled out of the Tour de France as he was placed in intensive care after suffering multiple injuries when he crashed into a wall at high speed during training for the Criterium du Dauphine, and has never been at his best since. The Briton had to spend more than three weeks in hospital after fracturing his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs.
He wanted to take part in the Tour de France one last time in 2025, but that wish wasn’t fulfilled as he broke a collarbone in a crash during the final stage of this year’s UAE Tour.
Last year at the Tirreno-Adriatico, he crashed in Stage 2 and suffered a broken wrist.
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Born in Kenya to British parents, Froome grew up in the east African country and South Africa, and has been a resident of Monaco since 2011. He turned professional at the age of 22 with Team Konica Minolta.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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