(Reuters) - Chris Froome was taken to hospital following a crash ahead of stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine on Wednesday in the build-up to his bid for a fifth Tour de France title next month.
The Briton pulled out of the race after crashing during a course reconnaissance of the 26.1 km individual time trial around Roanne in central France.
"Team Ineos can confirm that Chris Froome crashed during a recon of stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine today," the team said in a statement on Twitter.
"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, alongside team mate Geraint Thomas, is one of the favourites for the Tour de France which begins on July 6.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)