Chris Froome abandons Tirreno-Adriatico due to scaphoid fracture

Chris Froome (Israel-Premier Tech) will not start stage 5 of Tirreno-Adriatico after further scans revealed a scaphoid fracture in his left wrist.

The four-time Tour de France winner crashed on stage 2 of the race after a rider went down in front of him with around 5km to go. He was nursed home by his teammates, finished the stage and was taken to a local hospital where initial scans failed to pick up the complete extent of his injury.

• Read more: Chris Froome soldiers through Tirreno-Adriatico following crash and scans

Having battled through stages 3 and 4, the British rider went for more detailed scans on Thursday evening with his team making a statement early Friday morning, just hours ahead of stage 5.

“After crashing on stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico, Chris Froome underwent an X-ray on his left wrist which did not indicate a fracture. Despite managing to race stages 3 and 4, Chris underwent advanced imaging at the earliest possible moment after stage 4 where an MRI confirmed a scaphoid fracture,” his team said.

“Chris will return home to see a specialist to determine whether surgery will be necessary and to advise a treatment and recovery plan.”

Froome was making his European road season debut at Tirreno-Adriatico after a late call-up following an injury to teammate Derek Gee. The British rider took part in the Tour du Rwanda earlier this year and expressed his desire to race in the Tour de France later this summer. The 38-year-old missed out on Tour selection in 2023 due to ongoing health and fitness issues.