2026 Gran Fondo Florida - Register NOW!
United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Chris Froome back on his bike after Horrific near Death Training Crash

Chris Froome back on his bike after Horrific near Death Training Crash

Four months after a life-threatening training accident in France, four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome has returned to the bike, resuming outdoor training on the Côte d’Azur as he continues his recovery and prepares for the next chapter of his career.

Chris Froome back on his bike after Horrific near Death Training Crash

Froome, 40, who suffered a fractured vertebra, a collapsed lung and five broken ribs in the crash, underwent surgery and a rigorous rehabilitation program. Photographs from his training session show Froome posing at sunrise on the Mediterranean coast, marking a significant milestone in his comeback. The veteran rider’s contract with Israel–Premier Tech, which will rebrand to NSN Cycling Team in 2026, expires at the end of this year; he has not yet announced his plans for the 2026 season.

“Getting back on the bike outdoors felt both emotional and liberating,” Froome said. “There’s still a long road ahead, but this morning’s ride reminded me why I love to race and train. I’m grateful to the medical team, my family, and the coaches who’ve supported every step of my recovery.”

Froome’s return is notable not just for his personal resilience but for the broader cycling community. The rider, who won the Tour de France in 2013 and three consecutive titles from 2015 to 2017, has overcome multiple serious injuries in his career. His 2019 training crash during the Critérium du Dauphiné left him with a fractured right femur, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs, sidelining him from that year’s Tour. Following the recent accident, medical staff prioritized spinal stabilization and lung recovery, and Froome has progressed from clinical rehabilitation to supervised outdoor training.

Team medical and coaching staff report that Froome’s current regimen focuses on gradual load increases, core and respiratory strength, and careful monitoring of pain and mobility. While no formal decisions have been announced about his 2026 racing program, the rider and his management team say they will evaluate options in the coming weeks as recovery milestones are met. The rebranding of Israel–Premier Tech to NSN Cycling Team adds a layer of uncertainty to contract discussions but also potential new opportunities for collaboration.

 

 
s