Chris Froome Returns to Cycling After Severe Crash, Shares His Recovery Journey
Chris Froome, a four-time Tour de France champion, has returned to cycling after a serious crash that left him with broken ribs and a fractured vertebra. The incident, which occurred in August, required him to be airlifted to a hospital in Toulon, France, where he received treatment for a collapsed lung, five broken ribs, and a lumbar vertebra fracture. These injuries raised serious concerns about his ability to continue competing at the highest level.
Despite the setbacks, Froome showed resilience by posting on social media that he is back on the bike, expressing his gratitude for being able to return to the sport. ‘It’s been a tough road back after my latest crash, but it feels so good to finally be out here spinning the legs and on the road again,’ he wrote, accompanied by a selfie on Instagram. ‘Every setback teaches you something… this one reminded me to slow down, heal and enjoy the simple things in life.’
Froome’s comeback comes with a complex set of challenges. He first won the Tour de France in 2013, then secured three consecutive victories from 2015 to 2017, becoming the first rider to defend the title since Lance Armstrong before his seven victories were stripped. Since his last win at the Giro d’Italia in 2018, Froome has not been able to match his previous performance. He faced another setback in 2019 when a training crash during the Critérium du Dauphiné broke his right femur, elbow, and ribs.
Now, with his contract with Israel-Premier Tech set to expire shortly, Froome’s future in professional cycling remains uncertain. The 40-year-old rider is determined to make a comeback, but the physical and emotional toll of his injuries could influence his long-term success in the sport.