Chris Froome leaves Saint-Étienne hospital but still not able to return home

The four-time Tour de France winner has thanked the doctors and nurses who cared for him

(Image credit: AFP/Getty Images)

Chris Froome has left Saint-Étienne hospital a week after his horrific crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné, but he is still not well enough to go home.

Froome has been in hospital since last Wednesday (June 12) after he fell at around 55km/h during a recon of the stage four time trial course.

The 34-year-old has updated fans on his recovery via Twitter, thanking the hospital staff who have treated him since the crash.

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Team Ineos leader Froome said on Thursday (June 20): “As my time at Saint-Étienne Hospital has come to an end, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the doctors and nurses for the exceptional care provided to me. It’s been a rough week but I appreciate you having made it as comfortable as possible for me.”

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The four-time Tour de France winner added: “This is just the first step to what will be a long recovery.

“Unfortunately, I’m not yet able to go home, but at least I’ll have an opportunity to get a visit from my kids.”

Froome suffered multiple fractures in the crash, including to his femur, elbow and ribs, and underwent a six-hour operation that evening.

Scans later revealed he had also suffered fractures to his sternum and neck, but surgeons believe he will return to racing in six months.

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Froome has already been looking at his rehab and is determined to return to his best.

In his first public statement after the crash, he said: “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.”

The crash shut down Froome’s attempt at a fifth Tour de France title, as the leadership now falls to 2018 winner Geraint Thomas.

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Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.