LONDON (AFP) - Chris Froome admits he is "grateful to be alive" after a horrific high speed crash into a wall in June that left the four-time Tour de France winner with multiple fractures.
However, despite still needing crutches to walk, Froome is targeting a record-equalling fifth Tour title and Olympic gold in Tokyo next year.
The 34-year-old broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs when he crashed before stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine in France in June.
Such was the extent of his injuries, he initially feared his career, and not just his season, was over.
"I'm grateful to be alive. I'm grateful to be on the road to recovery, I'm grateful that I'm able to recover," Froome told the Daily Telegraph. "Now I've got to give it everything."
Froome's Ineos teammate Egan Bernal took advantage of his absence to win the Tour de France in July.
The Colombian is 14 years younger than Froome, who will be 35 when the 2020 Tour starts in Nice.
********Lucky to be alive: Chris Froome is hoping to return to cycling after suffering multiple fractures in a major crash in June