Sir Chris Hoy has returned to cycling just 12 weeks after suffering what he described as the worst accident of his 43-year riding career.
The Edinburgh-born Olympic legend, 49, sustained multiple fractures to his lower right leg and knee during a mountain biking incident in early November, which required emergency surgery in a major trauma ward, where surgeons inserted metal rods and screws into his leg.
The six-time Olympic gold medallist, who revealed his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis in October 2024, spent five days in hospital before being discharged with a leg brace and walking frame.
On Monday, he shared a video on Instagram that revealed the gruesome extent of his injuries, showing significant scarring, bruising and swelling to his leg, and documented his intensive rehabilitation programme and triumphant return to outdoor cycling.
Hoy credited physiotherapist Katie Flatters and two-time Olympic swimmer Vicki Hayles, who provided soft tissue therapy, for guiding his recovery.
Within a fortnight of his operation, he was back on a stationary bike, exercising his uninjured left leg while his right remained elevated on weight plates.
By week five, he was pedalling with both legs and began partial weight-bearing on a treadmill the following week.
During the Christmas period, he attended the World Darts Championship semi-finals with his wife, Sarra, while using a single crutch.
Sir Chris Hoy posted an emotional Instagram video
|At 11 weeks, he was walking unaided, and returned to outdoor cycling days later.
In his emotional Instagram post, Hoy captioned the video by writing: "It's been a while! 12 weeks ago today I was having emergency surgery following a nasty crash on the mountain bike. It's been a rough ride since then.
"I had no idea how tough other people must have had it, with similar injuries to this. But with daily hard work, and @katieflatters expert physiotherapy guiding me through the rehab, along with @hayles.vicki 's world class soft tissue treatment, I was able to get back out on the bike for the first time yesterday, in the fresh air.
"Recovery continues but this has taught me many things, not least that you can't second guess what might happen in life, and all you can do is control what you can. I am indebted to Katie and Vicki for the support, encouragement and commitment they have shown to me.
Sir Chris Hoy sustained multiple fractures to his lower right leg and knee during a mountain biking incident
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Sir Chris Hoy shared a video on Instagram that revealed the gruesome extent of his injuries
|Hoy added: "Boys and their hobbies, eh?! And when it goes wrong look at the formidable team of women I had on my side to get me back on my feet. Surgeon, physio, massage and not least my wife who, as always, has helped me find a way through challenging times with love and humour."
He also thanked former Great Britain cycling teammates Sir Jason Kenny, Jason Queally and Rob Hayles, who visited regularly during his three months housebound and helped his wife while he was bedbound.
He added: "Thanks for all the visits and the laughs to keep my spirits up."
He paid tribute to all medical staff whose "care and skill have got me back on my feet, I'm so grateful to each and every one of you."
Sir Chris Hoy has returned to cycling just 12 weeks after suffering what he described as the worst accident of his 43-year riding career
|Speaking to Sky Sports last month, he said: "I've smashed up my leg on the mountain bike. That's the worst thing that's happened recently. You just don't bounce like you do when you're younger. It was a big one but I'm doing better now."
Hoy added: "Worse things happen. I've been riding bikes for 43 years and it's the worst crash I've ever had. I'm pretty lucky that's the worst one I've had in all those years of riding.
"You can trip walking up steps to your front door and hurt yourself. The point is I'm not a massive risk taker, but I want to live my life and I want to make the most of it. None of us are here forever so you want to make the most of the time you have and do the things you enjoy."
Hoy also provided an encouraging update on his cancer treatment, revealing his condition is currently stable.
Since his diagnosis, he has become a campaigner for improved prostate cancer screening.