Wiggins hospitalised in crash with van
BRITISH Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins suffered suspected broken ribs in a collision with a van while training last night.
Wiggins was thrown from his saddle in the crash in Wrightington, near the north London-raised star’s Lancashire home, at around 6pm and taken by ambulance to hospital, where he stayed overnight. He is said to have complained that he felt his ribs had been broken, and hurt his hands and wrists.
Team Sky confirmed the accident, adding that his injuries were “not thought to be serious” and that “he is expected to make a full and speedy recovery”.
The accident comes at the end of a historic year for the popular 32-year-old, who became the first Briton to win the Tour de France.
He then became the first rider ever to follow that with gold in the Olympic road racing time trial, which he won at Hampton Court in south London.
The double achievement elevated him to national hero status and he remains the favourite to win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award next month, despite a host of strong contenders.
Wiggins was being followed on his training ride by his support team, who rushed to his aid. The collision is believed to have occurred when the van pulled out of a service station.
The Belgian-born Team Sky rider is expected to play second fiddle in next year’s Tour, where the mountainous route is likely to favour colleague and fellow Briton Chris Froome.