Chris Froome announces cycling retirement after life-threatening training crash
Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 41 following a life-threatening training crash.
The British rider has not competed since colliding with a road sign at more than 30mph in the south of France during August 2025.
Speaking to Belgian broadcaster Sporza, the seven-time Grand Tour winner conceded that his glittering career had reached a premature conclusion.
“Unfortunately, there was that crash last summer, that was not the way I wanted it to end. But even then, I knew it was over.”
Severe injuries force early exit
His wife, Michelle, recently revealed the full extent of the injuries sustained in the devastating summer collision.
The veteran cyclist required surgery to repair a fractured vertebra, a collapsed lung, five broken ribs and a ruptured pericardium caused by blunt chest trauma.
“It was obviously a lot more serious than some broken bones. He’s fine, but it’s going to be a long recovery process.”
Speaking to The Times, Michelle noted that her husband was content for his lengthy medical struggles to be made public.
“He won’t be riding a bike for a while. Chris is happy for you to share this because people need to understand what is going on.”
A legacy among cycling greats
The former Team Sky talisman walks away from the sport as one of its most decorated and recognisable competitors.
He secured four yellow jerseys between 2013 and 2017, while also capturing two Vuelta a Espana crowns and the 2018 Giro d’Italia.
Only legendary riders Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain boast more Tour victories than the 41-year-old.
The Israel-Premier Tech rider was in the final months of a five-year contract and had already hinted that 2025 could be his last season in the peloton.
Battles with adversity
The twilight of his career was heavily disrupted by severe misfortune and physical setbacks on the road.
He never fully regained his peak form after suffering a horrific crash at the 2019 Criterium du Dauphine that left him in intensive care with multiple fractures.
Despite claiming his last professional victory at the 2018 Giro, he valiantly continued to race at the highest level of the sport.
A collarbone break at the UAE Tour in February 2025 ultimately preceded his career-ending accident just six months later.