Chris Froome, the four-time Tour de France champion, has been described as “lucky to be alive” after a terrifying crash during a training ride in southern France.
What started as a routine session ended with Froome slamming into a road sign at around 30mph, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.
The 40-year-old cyclist was airlifted to a hospital in Toulon, where he underwent immediate surgery.
His injuries included a collapsed lung, five broken ribs, and a fracture in his back.
But as doctors operated, they uncovered something far more dangerous.
The Hidden Injury That Nearly Claimed His Life
While initial scans highlighted the broken bones and lung damage, Froome’s wife, Michelle, later revealed that surgeons also discovered a pericardial rupture—a tear in the protective sac surrounding the heart.
This kind of injury, usually caused by severe blunt trauma, could have ended his life had it not been detected in time.
Michelle, who has been married to Froome for nearly 11 years and is raising their two children, Kellan and Katie, called the situation far more serious than anyone initially realized.
Speaking with ITV and The Times, she said: “It was obviously a lot more serious than some broken bones.
He’s fine, but it’s going to be a long recovery process. He won’t be riding a bike for a while.”
She also expressed deep gratitude to the medical staff at Sainte Anne Toulon military hospital, a leading trauma center specializing in thoracic surgery.
Support and Gratitude
Despite the severity of the crash, Froome was conscious and responsive as he was airlifted from the scene near Saint-Raphael.
His team later confirmed that surgery went as planned and that he remains in stable condition.
“Chris is in good spirits and grateful for the excellent medical support he has received,” a statement read.
The cyclist and his family also thanked fans, friends, and the wider cycling community for their outpouring of messages.
A Career Hanging in the Balance
This accident couldn’t have come at a more uncertain time for Froome.
His contract with Israel-Premier Tech is set to expire at the end of the year, and there are no clear signs of a renewal.
The crash also follows another injury earlier this season when he broke his collarbone at the UAE Tour in February.
When asked recently about his future in cycling, Froome admitted he wasn’t sure: “My contract is expiring and I don’t know if I’ll continue or not.”
He did, however, share a passion for expanding the sport in Africa, where he was born in Kenya in 1985.
From Champion to Fighter
Froome’s cycling career is one of the sport’s most decorated.
His first Tour de France win came in 2013, followed by three more over the next four years.
He also claimed the Giro d’Italia in 2018 and has two Olympic medals to his name.
But since a devastating femur break during the 2019 Tour de France, his career has never fully rebounded.
Joining Israel-Premier Tech gave him what he once called a “second chance” to stay in the sport he loves.
What Lies Ahead?
For now, recovery is the only focus.
Froome faces months away from the bike and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Whether this crash marks the end of his professional career or simply another chapter in his comeback story remains to be seen.
One thing is certain—Chris Froome has once again defied the odds, and his resilience will be tested like never before.