Chris Froome: Tour de France champ says fans 'picked me up at my lowest moment'
Speaking for the first time since the crash in June, Froome tells Sky News he was inundated with messages while in hospital.
Saturday 12 October 2019 14:12, UK
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has thanked fans for picking him up at his "lowest moment" following his devastating crash in June.
It is the first time he has spoken publicly since smashing into a wall in France, breaking his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs.
Speaking to Sky News in Vienna, where he witnessed Eliud Kipchoge make history by becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours, he said he had come off crutches in the last week.
On his fans, he said: "A massive, massive thank you from the bottom of my heart.
"I mean it was quite overwhelming and emotional really in hospital receiving, just being inundated with messages.
"It was for me, it picked me up hugely when I was at probably my lowest moment of my career. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much to everyone who did reach out."
The Ineos rider is to take part in Japan's end-of-season Saitama Criterium on 27 October alongside teammate and Tour de France champion Egan Bernal.
Speaking before Kipchoge completed his incredible achievement, Froome, 34, said: "If he is able to do this, it would basically unlock a world of possibilities and shows that limits can be pushed. It changes the mindset and the thinking a little bit.
"He will be so focused, in his bubble with the pacemakers that are around him…the crowds at certain points do just become a bit of a blur.
"But at the same time, its such great crowds, his fellow Kenyans, will give him a lot of added motivation and drive to get this done."