Froome to undergo surgery after training crash

Four-times Tour de France winner Chris Froome was airlifted to hospital in Toulon after suffering a training crash which left him with broken ribs and a back fracture, his team Israel-Premier Tech said on Thursday.

His team added that the 40-year-old suffered the crash on Wednesday but no other cyclists or vehicles were involved.

"Fortunately, Chris is stable and did not sustain any head injuries," a statement on social media said.

"However, scans have confirmed a pneumothorax, five broken ribs, and a lumbar vertebrae fracture, for which he will undergo surgery this afternoon."

Froome has won seven Grand Tours which also include two Vuelta a Espana victories and one in the Giro d'Italia.