Triple Tour de France winner Chris Froome has escaped injury after a hit and run incident in the South of France. The Team Sky rider was training near to his home in Monaco when his bike was struck by a motorist.
Froome revealed what had happened on Twitter.
Just got rammed on purpose by an impatient driver who followed me onto the pavement! Thankfully I'm okay ???? Bike totaled. Driver kept going! pic.twitter.com/o7FT4iXsAo
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) May 9, 2017
His team told media that he had returned home afterwards and then continued his training on a spare machine. It added that the deliberate crash would be reported to police. He commented further later in the day.
Pretty scary experience today. The French police have been brilliant, I have given them all the details. Just grateful I wasn't hurt ????
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) May 9, 2017
Thank you for all the messages of support. New bike flying in tonight ?????? Back to training tomorrow ????
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) May 9, 2017
Froome is currently training for the Criterium du Dauphine, which he hopes will pave the way for a fourth Tour de France win.
He will consider himself lucky to have escaped injury but, like many other professional and amateur riders, will wonder what must be done to boost their safety on public roads. Several days ago in Spain two riders were killed and others injured by a motorist who had taken drink and drugs.
In April, the 2011 Giro d’Italia winner Michele Scarponi was struck and killed by a van while training for the Giro d’Italia.