Veteran cyclist Chris Froome, celebrated for his four Tour de France victories, sustained a life-threatening heart injury in a recent training accident in southern France. The 40-year-old British rider was rushed helicopter to a hospital facility in Toulon following the crash on August 27. Alongside a torn pericardium—the protective membrane surrounding his heart—he also suffered a collapsed lung, multiple broken ribs, and a back fracture.

Froome’s wife, Michelle, confirmed the gravity of the situation, describing the heart injury as far more serious than a set of broken bones. Although he is now stable, she cautioned that his rehabilitation will be prolonged. “It’s going to be a long recovery. He won’t be on a bike for a while,” she said.

The crash adds another setback to Froome’s injury-plagued recent years. He had previously endured a severe crash in 2019 and a broken collarbone earlier in 2025, resulting in his omission from this year’s Tour de France lineup. With his contract at Israel-Premier Tech ending this season—and retirement speculated—this latest blow raises further questions about his future in professional cycling Reuters.