Chris Froome is in intensive care and will miss the Tour de France after sustaining multiple fractures when crashing into a wall at speed on Wednesday.
The four-time Tour champion is in a St Etienne hospital after suffering a broken femur, a broken elbow and broken ribs during his reconnaissance ahead of stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine.
It was immediately feared the 34-year-old had broken his leg and, after being taken to a local hospital, further injuries were confirmed as his hopes of a fifth Tour title this year were dashed.
Froome’s wife Michelle confirmed on Twitter that, following a transfer to St Etienne, he was undergoing surgery later in the day.
“Chris is in surgery at the moment to repair the multiple fractures, please keep him in your thoughts. I hope to be able to share a message from him tomorrow morning – MF,” she posted on Froome’s account.
Team Ineos team principal Sir Dave Brailsford later told Radio 5 Live’s BeSpoke podcast that Froome was “not in great shape”.
