Chris Froome's hopes of a historic fifth Tour de France title have been shattered after the rider crashed heavily while riding a recon of the Criterium du Dauphine time-trial route, breaking his femur.
Team Ineos confirmed that Froome had crashed earlier this morning and had been sent to hospital to be assessed. Team manager Dave Brailsford subsequently confirmed to Belgian press that Froome's injuries would also rule him out of next month's Tour.
In a tweet, the team wrote, '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.'
Froome hit the deck close to the end of a recon of the Stage 4 time-trial at the Dauphine with teammate Wout Poels.
It is believed the crash happened towards the end of the course when Froome took his hands off of the handlebars to clear his nose while riding at around 60kmh, hitting a wall in the process.
Reports from L'Equipe suggest Froome could have sustained a broken femur but this has yet to be confirmed.
Crashing out of the 2019 Tour before it has even begun could bring an end to Froome's quest for a record-equally fifth yellow. By the 2020 Tour, Froome will be 35-year-old which would make him the oldest winner of the race since Firmin Lambot in 1922.