Chris Froome sustained a life-threatening pericardial rupture—a tear to the sac surrounding the heart—in his training crash in France last week, in addition to a broken back and ribs. The four-time Tour de France winner was airlifted to the Sainte‑Anne military hospital, a top-level trauma centre in the Var. His wife, Michelle, told the Times: “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.”
Initially, Froome's team, Israel-Premier Tech, reported that the 40-year-old had sustained a collapsed lung, five broken ribs and a lumbar vertebrae fracture. Last spring, Froome had left the door open to continuing beyond 2024, saying: “Chances are, yes, I’ll be calling it a day, but I’m just keeping the door open.” The severity of his injuries now increases speculation that he may soon announce his retirement.
Separately, the Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij of Visma-Lease a Bike won the opening stage of the 2025 men’s Tour of Britain in Southwold, overtaking Norway’s Tord Gudmestad in the closing metres. Kooij, who took four stage wins in the 2023 edition, said: “It was a bit of a waiting game... I had enough in the legs to get past him.” He added that he did not expect to match his previous tally.
Geraint Thomas, riding his final professional race, almost missed the start after a flight delay to Stansted on Monday evening. The 39-year-old Ineos Grenadiers rider arrived at his hotel in the early hours and got only a few hours’ sleep. “The main thing is enjoying it, really making the most of it,” he said. He finished 25 seconds behind the leaders on Tuesday.
