Chris Froome to miss Tour de France after serious accident

Chris Froome, a six-time Grand Tour champion, was taken to a local hospital in following the accident during the Criterium du Dauphine.

Chris Froome during Stage 2 of Criterium du Dauphine 2019, a 180km stage from Mauriac to Craponne-sur-Arzo.

Chris Froome will miss the Tour de France after he reportedly suffered a broken leg in a crash during the Criterium du Dauphine.

Froome, a six-time Grand Tour champion, was taken to a local hospital in following the incident prior to Wednesday's time trial in Roanne.

Team Ineos principal Dave Brailsford, speaking to France television reporters, confirmed Froome will be out of the Tour de France.

"He crashed in the downhill section of the course at high speed," Braislford said. "He hit a wall. The ambulance came quickly, he's been taken care of and waits for a helicopter to be transferred to Lyon or Saint-Etienne.

"It's a very serious accident. Clearly, he won't be at the start of the Tour de France. It'll take quite a long time before he races again."

Froome missed the Giro d'Italia to allow himself more time to prepare for the Tour de France, which he had been aiming to win for a record-tying fifth time.

The 34-year-old, who won the last of his four Tour de France titles in 2017, had been set to lead Team INEOS in the event, which begins in Brussels on July 6.