CHRIS Froome has said he was deliberately knocked off his bike by a hit-and-run driver while training in southern France.

The three-time Tour de France winner posted a picture of his broken bike on Twitter but said he was not hurt in the incident.

The Team Sky rider wrote: “Just got rammed on purpose by an impatient driver who followed me onto the pavement! Thankfully I’m okay .. Bike totaled. Driver kept going!”

The picture was geotagged from Beausoleil in France, close to Froome’s home in Monaco. His Pinarello Dogma F10 bike appeared to be damaged beyond repair.

Team Sky said the 31-year-old had returned home to get a spare bike and had continued his training after the incident, which will be reported to the police.

Last month, 2011 Giro d’Italia winner Michele Scarponi of the Astana team was killed when he was knocked off his bike by a van while training close to home in Italy.

Scarponi had been preparing for this year’s Giro, where the Mortirolo climb has now been named in his honour.

Also last month, Wanty-Groupe Gobert rider Yoann Offredo posted pictures on social media of himself badly bloodied, saying he had been the victim of an assault while out riding with two friends in the Chevreuse Valley, south west of Paris.

Froome’s Team Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas told cyclingweekly.com: “It’s a reminder, it shows how dangerous it can be.

“I only saw it five minutes before getting off the bus. It didn’t look good at all. I’ll speak to him later today.”

Froome is preparing for this year’s Tour, where he will be seeking a fourth title in five years.