Chris Froome fell during the reconnaissance of the chronometer that he was unable to participate today in the fourth stage of the French race (26.1 km in Roanne), a traditional starter of the Tour de France.

Froome was taken to the hospital - the diagnosis has yet to be established and there is talk of a fracture of the femur and naturally he will not be able to start but above all he will not be at the start of the Tour de France which starts Saturday, 6 July, from Brussels.

Froome has already won the Grande Boucle four times (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017) and had in his sight the fifth title that would have allowed him to equal Merckx, Hinault, Anquetil and Indurain.