Britain's four-time champion Chris Froome suffered a fractured right femur, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs in a high-speed crash that has ruled him out of the Tour de France, reports BBC News.
Froome, 34, hit a wall at 60kmph when he took his hands off his handlebars to blow his nose, according to team principal David Brailsford.
The crash occurred before the stage four of the Critérium du Dauphiné.
The Team Ineos rider has been airlifted to St Etienne University Hospital.
"Even though we all recognise the risks involved in our sport, it's always traumatic when a rider crashes and sustains serious injuries," said Brailsford.
"Chris had worked incredibly hard to get in fantastic shape and was on track for the Tour, which unfortunately he will now miss.
"One of the things which sets Chris apart is his mental strength and resilience - and we will support him totally in his recovery, help him to recalibrate and assist him in pursuing his future goals and ambitions."
Froome was eighth overall in the Critérium after three stages of the eight-day race.
Ineos said Froome has "multiple serious injuries" after the incident, which occurred during a practice ride on Wednesday's 26.1-kilometre time-trial course in Roanne, France.
Speaking just after the crash, Brailsford told Cyclingnews: "It sounds like he was at the foot of the descent, and it's obviously very gusty today, and he took his hands off the bars to blow his nose and the wind has taken his front wheel. He's hit a wall at 60kmph or something like that."