Chris Froome leaves hospital as Thomas and Bernal lead Team Ineos into Tour de France

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Chris Froome left hospital on Thursday, a full 22 days after his horrific crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné. The news was announced by Team Ineos boss Dave Brailsford at the team’s pre-Tour de France press conference in Brussels on Friday.

"It’s a big disappointment that Chris isn’t here and we wish him well on his road to recovery," Brailsford told the media, as he was flanked by Team Ineos’ two leaders for the Tour: Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas.

Froome was transferred by air to hospital in Saint Etienne on June 12 after a heavy crash while riding recon for the stage 4 individual time trial at the Dauphiné. He spent several hours on the operating table, having suffered a laundry list of injuries, including a fractured hip, femur, elbow, and neck, as well as internal injuries.

He spent roughly two weeks in Saint-Étienne before being transferred to a hospital in Monaco, where he resides with his wife and children.

"He left hospital yesterday and transferred to home. That’s a big step. He’s managed to put his feet on the floor for the first time in a long time," said Brailsford.

"The guys here have been to visit him and they think that he’s in remarkable spirits for the situation that he’s found himself in. He’s adjusted to it."

There is still no public confirmation on how long Froome will remain on the sidelines but he is expected to miss the rest of this year’s racing season. He was aiming for a fifth Tour de France title this July.

Team Ineos still arrive at this year’s race with a strong squad, boasting last year’s winner Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal, who has won both Paris-Nice and the Tour de Suisse this season.

The Tour de France starts on Saturday with a 194.5km stage starting and finishing in Brussels.