CYCLIST Scott Thwaites is on the road to recovery after a dreadful crash in March, but things are going better than expected and he is looking forward to supporting his team from the sidelines during this week's Tour de Yorkshire.

The Burley-in-Wharfedale rider burst into the national conscience by winning the 2014 men's road race at the Commonwealth Games and he is a hugely popular figure in his home county.

Thwaites had been in fine form before the recent incident. He had competed in the 2017 Tour de France and was recording some personal best times as he prepared for this year's three Spring Classic races.

The crash, in which the Steeton-born rider suffered injuries to his neck, spine, femur and sternum, has put any competitive action on hold for now.

However, he was upbeat about his current situation, saying: "I'm feeling okay and I'm making progress. The rehab is going well.

"I don't want to push it too far. I'm on track at the moment and just taking it day by day.

"I'm doing a lot of easy exercises with exercise bands and balls just to maintain a bit of strength in the core and stability muscles.

"I can't do any heavy lifting because the fractures are still healing but I'm able to do a little bit of riding on the bike. I've done up to an hour so far."

The former Ermysted's Grammar pupil spoke of his frustration at being out of the saddle for so long, but he accepts that it is part of his job.

He admitted: "These things happen, it's part of the sport. It was a big setback this season though especially because I was ready for the big Classics.

"But it's nice to be able to ride again, even if it's just on the home trainer bike set up that I have."

Although Thwaites would have loved to ride in this year's Tour de Yorkshire, which passes virtually by his house, he was in good spirits talking about his Dimension Data team, who won the 2017 race.

He enthused: "We did so well last year and it's a race that I love. I'll be there to watch and cheer the team on.

"I can give them a bit of advice on these roads and hopefully they can get try and get close to repeating what they did last year."

Thwaites was cautious about putting a time frame on his return, admitting: "I've got a long way to go, with a lot more x-rays and scans to come.

"I haven't really got any races in mind because I don't want to set any goals that aren't achievable."

Thwaites admits that there may be physical changes to his riding style, saying: "I might have to adapt my position due to the spine operation that was done.

"But it shouldn't stop me returning to the level that I was at. We'll have to wait and see when things start healing up, how my body responds and what changes need to be made."