Chris Froome injured himself more seriously than initially thought in his training crash
Keystone
Chris Froome injured himself more seriously than initially thought in his training crash in the south of France a few days ago. In addition to broken bones, the Briton suffered a ruptured pericardium.
According to an initial diagnosis, the four-time overall winner of the Tour de France had suffered a pneumothorax, five broken ribs and a fractured lumbar vertebra. Froome’s wife Michell told the British newspaper “The Times” that the pericardial tear, caused by blunt chest trauma, had now also been discovered during an operation. “It was obviously much more serious than a few broken bones. He’s fine, but it’s going to be a long recovery. He won’t be able to cycle for a while.”
The 40-year-old Froome was transferred by helicopter to hospital in Toulon after the accident and underwent surgery there. The Briton, who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, is said to have crashed into a traffic sign at over 45 kilometers per hour.
The latest crash – Froome had already been seriously injured six years ago shortly before the start of the Tour de France – could also mean the end of the Briton’s career. His contract is still valid until the end of the current season.