Froome’s hopes of a fifth Tour title now appear slim as he will be 35 by the time of the 2020 race Getty ImagesChris Froome was in intensive care in a French hospital last night after suffering fractures of his femur, elbow and ribs in a crash during a reconnaissance ride at the Criterium du Dauphiné. The British rider, 34, hit a wall at 54km/h (33.5mph). He was treated quickly by race paramedics who happened to be nearby in Roanne, a town in central France, and was airlifted to St Étienne University Hospital for further treatment. Froome was airlifted to another hospital from the medical centre in Roanne CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty ImagesSir Dave Brailsford, the Team Ineos principal, said that Froome’s front wheel had been caught by a gust of wind while he took one hand off the bars to blow his nose. “He’s been operated on to make sure that first phase of medical care is as optimal as possible and we…

Source: The Times June 12, 2019 16:13 UTC