Froome falls on 7th stage of Spanish Vuelta

Froome entered the stage in fourth place, 22 seconds behind leader Alejandro Valverde. (Laurent Cipriani/AP)

ALCAUDETE, Spain — Chris Froome had an early fall on the seventh stage of Spanish Vuelta but got back up and continued riding.

Froome fell on the first climb of the hilly 169-kilometre (105-mile) ride, with televised images showing a bloody cut on the right hip of the former Tour de France champion.

The British rider was able to rejoin the peloton as the race continues on Friday.

Froome entered the stage in fourth place, 22 seconds behind leader Alejandro Valverde.

Last month, Froome withdrew from the Tour on the fifth stage after he fractured his hands and wrists following three falls.

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.