Chris Froome, the British cyclist, has been rammed off the road in a hit-and-run attack - but is understood to have forgotten the driver's number plate.

The three-time Tour de France winner and Olympic medallist's bike was left badly damaged after he was struck "on purpose by an impatient driver".

Froome said he was "thankfully okay" after being deliberately hit by the driver, who is said to have followed him onto the pavement, while training in southern France.

He has reported the incident to police in France, but it is unclear if officers will be able to trace the driver. The Telegraph understands that Froome tried to memorise the licence plate at the time, but was unable to recall it later.

The incident took place on a quiet back road so there is unlikely to be any CCTV footage. Froome posted a picture on Twitter on Tuesday morning of his crumpled bike at the side of the road after it was "totaled" in the incident.

