Chris Froome out of Tour de France after breaking leg at Criterium du Dauphine

The incident occurred during what Team Ineos described on Twitter as a "recon of stage four" at the race in France

(FILES) In this file photo taken on May 2, 2019 Chris Froome of Team Ineos poses before the start of the first stage of the Tour de Yorkshire in Doncaster, north England. Chris Froome embarks on June 9, 2019 on the mountainous eight-day stage race of the Criterium du Dauphine, the race traditionally seen as a litmus test for July's Tour de France. / AFP / Oli SCARFF

Chris Froome is a four-time winner of the Tour de France, all with Team Ineos. AFP

Jun 12, 2019

Four-time champion Chris Froome has been ruled out of the Tour de France after breaking his leg in a crash at the Criterium du Dauphine on Wednesday.

The incident occurred during what Team Ineos described on Twitter as a "recon of stage four" at the race in France.

Team INEOS can confirm that Chris Froome crashed during a recon of stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine today.

He is currently on his way to a local hospital and won’t start today’s fourth stage.

We will provide a further update in due course. pic.twitter.com/3x3h5BD5cH
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) June 12, 2019

While not completely confirming his withdrawal from the Tour de France, Team Ineos director Dave Brailsford said it was "clear" Froome would not recover in time for the grand tour, which begins on July 6.

"It's clear he'll take no part in the Tour," Brailsford told French television while Froome was being treated at the scene in a parked ambulance.

"He is in a very, very serious condition," said Brailsford, adding that the racer was having difficulty speaking and would be helicoptered to hospital.

More to follow