A cyclist injured during the Tour of Britain is back in the saddle after receiving treatment at St George's Hospital.

Wouter Sybrandy, 28, fell off his bicycle on a steep descent while trying to close the gap on the race leaders during the Reigate to Guildford stretch.

He was thrown face first into adjoining banking, breaking or cracking five vertebrae and ribs.

Doctors at St George's Hospital, in Tooting, inserted plates into his cheek bone and above his eye socket, explaining he would be hospitalised for six weeks.

But the Dutchman was able to walk out of hospital after two weeks and was back cycling within two months.

Mr Sybrandy, who has won silver and gold medals, said: "My fitness had a lot to do with it and I set myself a succession of small goals which started with being able to stand, walk, get up and down the stairs and out of hospital before progressing to light workouts and eventually cycling

"I started with a stationary bike and just took it from there. It was a good feeling to slowly regain my strength and that spurred me on.

"I’m back racing again with my weekly mileage topping 500 km."