British Cyclist Chris Froome Says He Was ‘Rammed On Purpose’ By Driver In France

Chris Froome claims he was intentionally struck by a car while training in southern France early Tuesday, though the British Team Sky cyclist added he was not injured.

Team Sky Cyclist Chris Froome of Britain Hit By Driver in France

The three-time Tour de France champion, who will be 32 later this month, tweeted a photo of his damaged bike and called the driver “impatient”, adding that the driver didn’t even stop and that he will report the incident to local authorities.

“Just got rammed on purpose by an impatient driver who followed me onto the pavement!” Froome wrote. “Thankfully I’m okay. Bike totaled. Driver kept going!”

Froome took the picture in Beausoleil, France, which is near his Monaco home.

His bicycle, which is reportedly worth approximately £9,000 (about $11,634) sustained damage to both wheels and its frame.

Froome, who last won the Tour de France in 2016, will hope to win his third straight title when this year’s race begins July 1 in Dusseldorf, Germany, since the first two stages of the competition are held outside of France. The Tour de France will end on July 23.

Should Froome win this year’s event, the Brit will become the fifth cyclist to ever do so four times, joining Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

The Team Sky rider first won the Tour de France in 2013. His crash Tuesday comes after the death of Italian cyclist Michele Scarponi, who was involved in his own collision with a van during a training ride in April.

MONTPELLIER, FRANCE – JULY 14: Christopher Froome of Great Britain riding for Team Sky in the yellow leader’s jersey crosses the finish line after stage twelve, a 178km stage from Monpellier to Chalet-Reynard near the Mont Ventoux on July 14, 2016 in Montpellier, France. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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Article by Pablo Mena