X-ray suggests no fracture for Chris Froome but no all-clear just yet

An x-ray suggests that Team Sky's Chris Froome did not fracture his wrist during today's Stage 4 of the Tour de France, although the race doctor Florence Pommerie has said the defending champion may need to undergo further tests.

Wrist fractures can take some time to become evident on x-rays, and Dr Pommerie said that just because none was apparent today, that does not mean Froome can be given the all-clear just yet, and he may need another one after tomorrow's stage.

The 29-year-old crashed heavily just 5 kilometres into today's stage from Le Touquet to Lille following a touch of wheels.

His left wrist was put in a splint and it was confirmed this evening he had suffered at least a contusion to it. He also sustained abrasions to his left knee and hip and his left elbow as well as a minor cut to his right hand.

With tomorrow's Stage 5 from Ypres to Arenberg-Porte du Hainaut heading over nine sections of cobbles used in Paris-Roubaix, with 14.5km of pavė in total, the worry for Team Sky and its fans will be whether Froome risks exacerbating his wrist injury due to the vibrations coming up from the uneven surface.

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