Four-time Tour de France champion and double Olympic medallist Chris Froome says he is looking forward to returning to his best following surgery resulting from his high-speed crash at the Criterium du Dauphine.
Froome was on a reconnaissance ride with Team Ineos ahead of the 26.1km time-trial in Roanne, France, when he crashed earlier this week.
The 34-year-old was taken to Roanne Hospital for initial assessments and stabilisation before he was airlifted to the University Hospital of St Etienne.
Froome, who won time trial bronze at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics as part of Team GB, sustained multiple injuries including a fractured right femur, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs and is now recovering post-surgery.
In his first update since the incident, Froome was appreciative of the support he has received and despite suffering a major setback is fully focused on returning to the top.
“Firstly, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sent their best wishes to me since the crash,” Froome said. “This is obviously a tough time but I have taken a lot of strength from the support over the last three days. The outpouring of support has been really humbling and something I would never have expected.
“I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the team, especially Doctor Richard Usher and his medical staff, who have been exemplary since the crash.
“In addition, I am so thankful to the emergency services and everyone at Roanne Hospital who assisted and stabilised me, as well as the surgeons, doctors and nurses at the University Hospital of St Etienne, who have really gone above and beyond the call of duty, for which I am ever so grateful.
“I know how lucky I am to be here today and how much I owe to all the paramedics and medical staff on the race. “Whilst this is a setback and a major one at that, I am focusing on looking forward. There is a long road to recovery ahead, but that recovery starts now and I am fully focused on returning back to my best. “Finally, I want to thank my wife Michelle and my family. They’ve been with me every step of the way and their love and support will motivate me to return as quickly as possible.”