‘He’ll be back from this’: Pro peloton shows support for Chris Froome after horrific crash
Geraint Thomas, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Tom Dumoulin have wished Froome a swift recovery

The sense of unity in the professional peloton is never more evident than when a rider suffers an awful crash on the bike.
Chris Froome’s horrendous injuries suffered in a fall at the Critérium du Dauphiné have bought out the best from pros, with scores of riders sending the Team Ineos leader best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Both team-mates and rivals have expressed their concern and support for Froome, who is in intensive care after undergoing surgery on Wednesday night (June 12) for multiple fractures he suffered in the crash.
>>> Chris Froome in intensive care after undergoing surgery following Critérium du Dauphiné crash
Wout Poels, who now takes over Team Ineos leadership duties at the Dauphiné, said: “It’s never nice to see a team-mate go down, particularly when he’s such a close friend. I hope he can recover quickly. If anyone can, Froomey can.
“It’s really sad for Froomey but I have to switch on again now and make the best of a tough situation.”
Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), due to be Froome’s most dangerous rival at the 2019 Tour de France, said his absence will be a loss for the French Grand Tour.
Dumoulin told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf: “He has been the man in the Tour for years, everyone looks at him. He was on a mission to win there for the fifth time and he will certainly not succeed this year.
“It’s not going to be that different, because Ineos still has a strong team and they will continue to ride in a controlled way, but it is a big loss.
“Here in the Dauphiné he seemed to be really ready for the Tour.”
British time trial specialist Alex Dowsett saw the aftermath of Froome’s crash while riding the TT course on stage four of the Dauphiné.
The Katusha-Alpecin rider said on Instagram after the stage: “Raced past ambulances on the course at a 70km/h section and heard at the finish it was Chris Froome who’d hit the deck hard.
“Hope he heals as quick as possible, no one wants to see or hear that.
“We’ve all had completely innocuous crashes, you just hope the repercussions aren’t significant. It sounds like Froomey’s are but I’m sure he’ll bounce back.
“A loss to the 2019 Tour de France regardless.”
Froome’s team-mates have also wished the four-time Tour de France winner a speedy recovery.
Michał Kwiakowski, who is also riding the Dauphiné, said: “According’s to Murphy’s law, anything that could go wrong went wrong.
“Get well soon Chris Froome.”
Froome crashed on a rapid downhill section of the TT course during a recon before the stage, when he took his hand off the bars and a gust of wind caught his front wheel and sent him into a wall at almost 60km/h.
>>> How will the Tour de France change without Chris Froome?
He was rushed to hospital where doctors identified multiple fractures including to his right femur, right elbow and ribs.
The 34-year-old underwent surgery at Saint Etienne hospital just hours after the crash and is recovering from the operation in intensive care.
Fellow Brit and Team Ineos rider Tao Geoghegan Hart said: “Absolutely gutted for Chris Froome.
“But if there is one thing we know about Froomey, it’s that he will be back from this.
“July won’t be the same without him that’s for sure.”
Geraint Thomas, who is now expected to take up leadership duties for Ineos at the Tour, said: “Such crap news.
“It’s always horrible hearing about any bad crash, but even worse when it’s a good mate. Heal up quick.”
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Your Apple Watch is about to become a truly viable cycling smartwatch
The US tech giant is boasting connectivity to peripherals such as power meters in its new Watch OS 10
By Joe Baker • Published
-
You could own a Giro edition EF Education-EasyPost Pro Cycling team bike
Bicycle manufacturer Cannondale has partnered with the Los Angeles Bike Academy to raffle off Jonathan Caicedo's race bike from the 2021 Giro d'Italia.
By Henry Lord • Published
-
Christophe Laporte doubles up at Critérium du Dauphiné with 'unexpected' stage three win
Frenchman proves his form and outfoxes Sam Bennett and Dylan Groenewegen to take second stage victory in three days
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘I surprised myself’ - Julian Alaphilippe back to winning ways on stage two of Critérium du Dauphiné
Former world champion rediscovers form ahead of the Tour de France
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard to David Gaudu: Eight riders to watch at the Critérium du Dauphiné 2023
Stacked GC field also includes Adam Yates, Richard Carapaz, Mikel Landa and Jai Hindley
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
From drawing to Giro d'Italia in 2 months: How SunGod reinvented Geraint Thomas' iconic sunglasses
The glasses, GTs, have been seen on the Welshman's face throughout his impressive Giro d'Italia run
By Adam Becket • Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart abandons Giro d'Italia after fracturing hip on stage 11
Ineos Grenadiers rider was sitting in third before falling heavily with 69km to go on Wednesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Blow to Ineos's Giro d'Italia as Filippo Ganna forced out with Covid-19
Time-triallist and super-domestique Filippo Ganna has had to leave his home Grand Tour due to a Covid-19 positive
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Complete Giro d'Italia 2023 start list: Who is still in the Grand Tour three days in?
There has not been one abandonment so far in this year's Giro, here's the complete start list
By Adam Becket • Last updated