Chris Froome suffered life-threatening heart injury in training crash, faces 'long recovery process', says wife Michelle
Updated 02/09/2025 at 19:56 GMT+1
Chris Froome is recovering following a training crash in Toulon that saw him airlifted to hospital with several injuries. Froome's wife Michelle says it is "a lot more serious than some broken bones" and he sustained a pericardial rupture, which is a tear to the sac around the heart. Froome, a four-time winner of the Tour de France, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Schwer gestürzt: Chris Froome
Image credit: SID
Chris Froome’s wife has revealed the life-threatening extent of injuries suffered by the four-time Tour de France winner in a crash.
Froome, 40, underwent surgery last week after being airlifted to hospital following a training crash in Toulon.
Froome's team Israel-Premier Tech said he had suffered a collapsed lung, five broken ribs and a lower back fracture.
But Froome’s wife Michelle has told The Times that he also sustained a pericardial rupture, which is a tear to the sac around the heart that could be fatal.
"It was obviously a lot more serious than some broken bones," said Michelle.
"He’s fine but it’s going to be a long recovery process. He won’t be riding a bike for a while. Chris is happy for you to share this because people need to understand what is going on."
Michelle added that Froome was fortunate to be taken to the Sainte Anne Toulon military hospital, a specialist facility for thoracic surgery.
Currently in his fifth year with Israel-Premier Tech, he is out of contract at the end of the year.
Froome won the Tour de France four times between 2013 and 2017 as Team Sky dominated cycling’s biggest event.
But a serious crash at the Criterium de Dauphine in 2019 sidelined him for eight months and he struggled to regain his best form on his return.
His most recent race was at the Tour de Pologne earlier this month, where he finished 68th overall.
Froome, who joined Israel-Premier Tech in 2021, has not ridden any of the Grand Tours since 2022.
His team said he was in "good spirits" following surgery.
"The procedures went as planned, and Chris is currently recovering in hospital under the care of his medical team.
"He is in good spirits and grateful for the excellent medical support he has received. Chris and his family would like to thank fans, friends, and the cycling community for their concern and kind messages during this time."
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