Sir Chris Hoy is back riding his bike after making a remarkable recovery from a crash which left him with a broken leg.
The six-time Olympic champion, who has terminal prostate cancer, suffered the injury in a mountain biking accident that he described as the worst of his life. However, he was able to get back in the saddle at the weekend just 12 weeks after the incident having dedicated himself to an intensive rehabilitation programme.
Hoy, 49, from Edinburgh, told how he worked with a physiotherapist and a soft tissue expert and diligently carried out exercises to speed up his return to activity. He shared a video of his recovery journey that showed the gruesome nature of the injury, which caused multiple fractures to his leg and knee.
Hoy’s video showing his road to recovery
He had emergency surgery in a major trauma ward and needed crutches to walk after leaving hospital. He said: “Twelve weeks ago 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 Katie Flatters’ expert physiotherapy guiding me through the rehab, along with Vicki Hayles’ 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.”
Hoy two weeks after surgery
Hoy also thanked his former Great Britain cycling teammates Sir Jason Kenny, Jason Queally and Rob Hayles for helping him and his wife, Sarra, while he was housebound.
He 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.
“And then the boys. My mates who dropped everything to come round, helping Sarra in the house, moving furniture, helping with lifts and transport and then simply keeping me company over the last three months while I have been housebound.
“Thanks for all the visits and the laughs to keep my spirits up. Last but definitely not least; thank you to all the medical staff whose care and skill have got me back on my feet, I’m so grateful to each and every one of you.”
Hoy revealed in 2024 that he has been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer and has since become a campaigner for improved screening for the illness. His wife found out she had multiple sclerosis shortly after but kept her diagnosis a secret to help support her husband through his cancer treatment.
Sarra Kemp and Sir Chris Hoy in 2021
DAVID M. BENETT/DAVE BENETT/GETTY IMAGES
In his memoir All That Matters, Hoy praised his wife for her unwavering support while facing “this absolute crisis in the midst of my own”.
Hoy, who was first inspired to take up cycling by the famous BMX scenes in the film ET: the Extra-Terrestrial, had won six Olympic, 11 world and 34 World Cup titles by the time he retired in 2013.