Chris Froome has revealed the brutal extent of his injuries following the life-threatening crash he suffered during a training ride in France over the summer.
The four-time Tour de France champion shared a new image from his rehabilitation on Instagram, showing the scars and wounds still visible on his chest more than six weeks after the accident.
The 40-year-old British cycling icon was airlifted to hospital in August after crashing at high speed during a training session near Toulon.
Froome reportedly clipped a kerb while travelling at around 30mph and collided with a road sign, sustaining multiple severe injuries.
Doctors later confirmed he had suffered four broken ribs, a fractured vertebra, a collapsed lung and, most alarmingly, a pericardial rupture — a tear to the protective sac surrounding the heart.
In the photo shared with fans, Froome can be seen smiling as he undergoes physiotherapy, a sign of his determination to recover fully despite the long road ahead.
The deep wounds and surgical scars on his torso remain stark reminders of just how serious the crash was.
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Chris Froome left hospital with his daughter last month
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He captioned the image with gratitude to his medical team and supporters, signalling that his recovery, though ongoing, is moving in a positive direction.
Froome broke his silence on the accident last month, shortly after being discharged from hospital.
“Relieved to be heading home from the hospital today,” he said at the time. “Thanks to the staff at the HIA Sainte Anne.”
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Chris Froome has won the Tour de France four times | PA
The cycling star was treated at the Toulon-based military hospital after being airlifted from the scene of the crash.
While his injuries have ruled him out of competition for the foreseeable future, Froome has already shown signs of resilience.
Remarkably, he made a public appearance just weeks after the incident, attending a charity gala in Zurich alongside Usain Bolt, Anthony Joshua and former Formula One world champion Mika Häkkinen.
Speaking at the event, Froome said the prospect of attending had given him extra motivation during his recovery.
“I think this was a motivation for me to push in terms of rehab and getting out of hospital in time to be ready for this event,” he said. “It sounded like it was going to be an amazing evening.”
His commitment to rehabilitation has impressed fans and fellow athletes alike.
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Chris Froome was airlifted to hospital with severe injuries back in August
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PADespite the severity of his injuries, Froome has remained upbeat, using his platform to share his progress and thank those who have supported him through his ordeal.
The new photo, while stark, offers reassurance that the seven-time Grand Tour winner is recovering steadily.
Froome’s remarkable career has already been defined by his resilience.
After suffering multiple fractures in a separate crash during the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné, he battled back to return to the professional peloton — a testament to his mental and physical toughness.
His latest setback is another enormous challenge, but few doubt his determination to recover once again.
For now, Froome faces months of rehabilitation before he can return to the bike. But his latest update shows a familiar fighting spirit, as one of Britain’s greatest cyclists refuses to let even the most serious of injuries keep him down.