Chris Froome says he is “fully focused” on getting “back to his best” after the “major setback” of his high-speed crash on Wednesday.

The four-time Tour de France champion suffered a fracture to his neck as well as a fractured right femur, elbow and ribs, plus a broken hip.

Froome, 34, is likely to spend “at least six months” away from cycling, says the surgeon who operated on him.

“I know how lucky I am to be here,” the Briton said in a statement.

“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 happened during a practice ride before stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine in Roanne, France.

In footage captured by ITV4 minutes before the incident, a team-mate tells Froome “you don’t have to take risks, Chris” as he takes both hands off the handlebars to put on a jacket.

But moments later, Froome took his hand off his handlebars again to blow his nose and was travelling at 54km/h when a gust of wind caught his front wheel, causing him to hit a wall.

He was airlifted to Saint-Etienne Hospital, where he is continuing his post-surgery recovery.

“This is obviously a tough time but I have taken a lot of strength from the support over the last three days,” Froome added. “The outpouring of support has been really humbling and something I would never have expected.”

Froome faces six weeks in hospital and is not expected to compete again in 2019. Doctors have said they are are “very happy” with his progress.

• BeSpoke podcast: Froome in intensive care

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