Two-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has been forced to withdraw from the Vuelta a Espana after fracturing a bone in his foot during a crash on Wednesday's 11th stage. The Team Sky leader, who was 15th overall and seven minutes 30 seconds behind race leader Fabio Aru, did not start Thursday's 12th stage.
Froome, 30, sustained the injury when he hit a barrier and stone wall in the opening kilometres of the 138km stage. Despite finishing the stage, an MRI scan later confirmed a fractured navicular bone in his right foot. 'I'm really gutted to be leaving the race but the injuries that I sustained on [Wednesday's] stage were too much to continue. I'll be back soon,' Froome told teamsky.com.
The Kenya-born Briton had been aiming to become the third rider in history to win the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana in the same year, and the first since the Vuelta was moved to later in the season. He has twice finished runner-up in the Tour of Spain, in 2012 and 2014.
Froome's withdrawal may also affect Great Britain's hopes at the Road World Championships in Richmond, Virginia, later this month. He is no stranger to Grand Tour exits, having been forced to quit the 2014 Tour de France with a fractured hand and wrist. He responded by reclaiming the yellow jersey this July.
Thursday's 12th stage was won by Danny van Poppel of Trek, with Daryl Impey of Orica-GreenEdge finishing second. Race leader Fabio Aru finished safely in the pack, leaving the general classification standings unchanged.
