'Superwoman' sports star shares horror pic of injury that left her 'blessed to still have leg'

Chloe Dygert admits she feels "blessed to still have my leg" as fans hailed the American sports star as "superwoman" as she continues to fight a horrendous injury suffered five years ago - but which continues to plague her today.

The 28 year-old cyclist withdrew from the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift earlier this month, despite making the time cut on the fearsome Col du Madeleine by seven seconds The American was visibly distraught, clutching her leg which she nearly lost in a terrifying crash in 2020.

"With other medical problems, other things it is fine to push through, but with my leg there is a line," she said in an interview with her team Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto. "That was crossed yesterday. There is still a lot to do this season and we can't risk it...When everybody started passing me, I was standing still. I was like, 'there is no way I am going to make time cut, there is just no way.

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“Then about 10km from the top I just had a full on panic attack, started crying, panicking. My leg was killing me. I couldn’t hear any more, my ears were clogged because I am still sick. It was just not a good time.”

Dygert has had lingering problems with her leg after a horror crash almost led to her leg having to be amputated at the 2020 World Championships in Imola. She lost control on a descent, catapulting over a metal barrier, and along with a serious laceration, she bled profusely at the scene.

“It is the spasming, the muscle tightening. It feels like there is a hammer, I guess. I’ve never really been able to explain the pain," she added. "It feels like when you get hit by something really hard, it just feels like that constantly.

“It never goes away, and it gets worse. There was no relief going uphill that long. So once I got to the top and I could get off my bike, it was one of the greatest feelings.”

WARNING: Graphic Images

It's been a challenging journey back for Dygert, who clinched gold in the Team Pursuit at the Olympics last summer.

Just under a week after withdrawing from the Tour de France Femmes, Dygert has taken to social media to update her followers on her health. She shared images of her terrifying crash that resulted in a deep flesh wound five years ago.

"Sometimes I take for granted how truly blessed I am that I still have my leg. God is so good. I am so blessed. I am forever grateful."

Her fans were quick to show their support. "You are amazing inspiration! Real fighter," one admirer commented. Another added: "So much respect for you! An example to everyone!".

"Superherowoman," responded a third. A fourth fan chimed in with: "A very strong lady you deserve a lot of respect!".