Froome reveals the crash that nearly cost him his life

Chris Froome has described the severity of the August 2025 training crash that brought his professional career to an end. In an interview with Cyclingnews, the four-time Tour de France winner said he nearly died and that the rapid arrival of the ambulance was decisive.

According to Froome, the impact broke all his ribs, damaged his right lung and tore open the pericardium surrounding his heart. Metal plates were fitted to rebuild his rib cage, and an infection later required further surgery. He remained in hospital into January and only gradually returned to riding socially.

Froome, now 41, explained that he was in no condition to make a formal announcement during his recovery and assumed his retirement was understood after his contract ended. He closes a career containing seven Grand Tour victories: four Tours de France, two editions of La Vuelta a España and one Giro d'Italia.