Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome sustained a life-threatening injury to his heart during a training crash in southern France last week, as revealed by his wife. The 40-year-old cyclist is currently recovering after successful emergency surgery.
The crash occurred on August 27 while Froome was training, leading to him being airlifted to Sainte Anne Toulon military hospital, which specializes in thoracic surgery. This facility is the highest-level trauma center in the region, ensuring he received prompt and expert care for his severe injuries.
Injuries from the incident included a pericardial rupture, a tear in the protective sac surrounding the heart, often caused by blunt chest trauma. Additionally, Froome suffered a pneumothorax (collapsed lung), five broken ribs, and a fracture in his lumbar vertebrae, highlighting the severity of the crash and the risks involved in professional cycling.
Surgery was performed on August 28 to address the heart injury, and it was successful, with doctors repairing the damage. Froome’s wife, Michelle, shared that he was shown videos of both the injury and the repair, and he is in good spirits despite the circumstances, expressing gratitude for the medical team’s efforts.
Michelle Froome emphasized to The Times that the injury was far more serious than initially apparent, beyond just broken bones, and could have been fatal. She stated that the recovery will be long, and Froome will not be riding a bike for some time, though he is stable and focused on healing with family support.
This is not the first time Froome has faced a major crash; in 2019, he suffered a high-speed incident during training that resulted in a fractured leg and missed the Tour de France. Since then, he has struggled to return to his peak form, with additional setbacks like a broken collarbone earlier this year affecting his performance.
Froome’s contract with Israel–Premier Tech expires at the end of the season, and his participation in any remaining races is highly unlikely due to this injury. This could influence his future in professional cycling, potentially leading to retirement considerations after a decorated career that includes seven Grand Tour wins.
Despite the challenges, the cycling community has rallied in support, hoping for Froome’s full recovery. His resilience and past successes, including dominance in the mid-2010s, underscore his significance in the sport and the impact of this incident on his legacy.