Dutch cyclist Annemiek van Vleuten has said that she believes herself to be "lucky" after a horror crash at the Rio Olympics left her in intensive care.
The 33-year-old was leading the women's road race last Sunday when rain caused her to tumble and her head hit concrete.
Van Vleuten was treated in intensive care for concussion and three cracks in her spine but is now on the mend, albeit still in hospital.
"I think I was very lucky. I've three broken bones in my back and a concussion but mentally is the hardest part. That's going to need some more time to recover," she told Sky Sports News.
"I watched back the video and I felt for my mother as it must have been horrible to see that. For me, I am okay now and the worst part was not going to the finish.
"There are always risks with cycling and people put pressure on themselves on the descent. I didn't take any strange risks because I knew I had a gap. It's risky but that's part of cycling and it was not an extremely dangerous downhill."
Van Vleuten's compatriot Anna van der Breggen went on to claim gold in the event.
