(CNN) Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome will miss this year's race after sustaining "multiple serious injuries," including a fractured leg, in a horrific crash during a practice ride in France Wednesday.

"He underwent successful surgery last night but remains in intensive care," a spokesman for Team Ineos, who Froome rides for, told CNN Sport on Thursday.

The 34-year-old Froome, who won cycling's most prestigious race in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, was competing in the Criterium du Dauphine near Roanne, central France, when he crashed at speed ahead of the fourth stage time trial.

Froome was initially assessed at Roanne Hospital before being airlifted to St. Etienne Hospital where he underwent a six-hour operation which "went very well," according to team doctor Richard Usher.

"Chris woke up this morning and was reviewed by the intensive care consultants and the orthopaedic specialist who operated on him and they're both very happy with his progress to date," Usher continued.

"Chris will remain in hospital for the next few days for observation, but he is already actively engaging in discussing his rehabilitation options, which is very encouraging."

Chris Froome crashed on a reconnaissance ride ahead of the fourth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine in France.

Speaking on Radio 5 Live's BeSpoke podcast on Wednesday, Team Ineos general manager Dave Brailsford said his lead rider wouldn't be able to defend his yellow jersey at the Tour de France.

"He's not in great shape. He's in intensive care," said Brailsford. "There are crashes and bad crashes and this was a bad crash. It's a very serious accident. Clearly, he won't be at the start of the Tour de France."

"It wasn't just a serious accident, it was also a freak one.

"It sounds like he was at the foot of the descent," Brailsford told Cycling News. "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 60km/h or something like that."

The Briton, who has also won the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana, suffered a fractured right femur, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs, said a statement on his Team Ineos website.

Froome has won the Tour de France four times.

"Our primary focus now is obviously on ensuring Chris gets the very best possible care, which he will do, so he can recover as soon as possible," said Brailsford.

"One of our big strengths on this team is coming together in difficult moments, and we will ensure we do everything possible to support Chris and his family."

He added: "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 targeting a record-equaling fifth Tour de France title this year to join Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain at the top of the sport.

Last year, Froome finished third in the Tour behind teammate Geraint Thomas of Wales

Thomas, the fourth Briton to win the Tour de France, is favorite to win this year's race ahead of 2018 runner-up Tom Dumoulin.

Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Tour de France 2018 winner Geraint Thomas holds the Welsh flag as he celebrates on the podium in Paris. Hide Caption 1 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Spectators cheer as a pack of cyclists rides uphill during the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday, July 25. Hide Caption 2 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana celebrates after winning the 17th stage on July 25. Hide Caption 3 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France British cyclist Geraint Thomas grimaces as he crosses the finish line on July 25. He had been leading the Tour since the end of the 11th stage. Hide Caption 4 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Spectators gather on a slope on July 25. Hide Caption 5 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Dutch cyclist Bauke Mollema devours a sandwich after finishing the 17th stage. Hide Caption 6 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Belgium's Philippe Gilbert stands on the podium after the 16th stage on Tuesday, July 24. He injured his leg in a crash and had to bow out of the Tour. Hide Caption 7 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France A police officer sprays tear gas at one protester as another protester stands in front of the race director's car on July 24. Protesting farmers had blocked the road with hay bales, and the race was temporarily halted after tear gas inadvertently got into the eyes of some riders. Hide Caption 8 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Colombia's Daniel Felipe Martinez cleans his eyes after tear gas was used in the protests on July 24. Hide Caption 9 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Gendarmes detain a protesting farmer as the pack rides behind them. Hide Caption 10 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France The pack rides past sunflower fields on July 24. Hide Caption 11 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Denmark's Magnus Nielsen celebrates after winning the 15th stage on Sunday, July 22. Hide Caption 12 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Riders' shadows are seen near the finish line after the 15th stage. Hide Caption 13 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Team Sky, with Geraint Thomas wearing the yellow jersey, rides together during the 14th stage on Saturday, July 21. Hide Caption 14 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Germany's Nils Politt passes an exuberant fan during the 11th stage on July 18. Hide Caption 15 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Cyclists crash at the end of the ninth stage on July 15. Hide Caption 16 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France France's Alexis Vuillermoz had plenty of water for the eighth stage on July 14. Hide Caption 17 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France A pack rides by a burning haystack during the sixth stage on July 12. Hide Caption 18 of 19 Photos: The best pictures from the 2018 Tour de France Belgium's Jasper De Buyst, left, and Britain's Chris Froome get back on the road after crashing during the first stage on July 7. Froome is the defending champion. Hide Caption 19 of 19

Team Ineos is bankrolled by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, head of the Ineos petrochemical company. Ineos took over in April after the television station Sky ended its backing, which began in 2010.