Speaking from his hospital bed in the French city of Chambery, the 32-year-old Launceston rider said he was fortunate to have only sustained a fractured clavicle and pelvis in the 70km/h stage 9 accident on the descent of Mont du Chat.

Still in considerable pain and coming to terms with his second bone-shattering crash in a year, Porte also thanked Australian cycling fans for the overwhelming support he had received.

“Obviously, I've felt much better than what I do right now,” said the BMC team leader. “I'm in a fair bit of pain and it's a big disappointment to be honest. I think I was in great form and the team were really strong around me too, so it's disappointing but I think after seeing the crash I'm lucky that I have come away with the injuries I have.”

Porte said he could vividly remember the incident, in which he lost control before colliding with Irish rival Dan Martin and careering into a rocky embankment.

​“I remember I came into a corner and it wasn't like we were going too fast or anything like that, but I just remember I locked the back wheel up and that was it really. Next thing I was heading for the grass verge on the corner. I stayed conscious the whole time. I remember the whole thing but I must say thank you to the medical staff on the race and the hospital. They have been absolutely fantastic.”

Porte’s 2016 season also ended dramatically with a similar accident in the Rio Olympic road race and he is realistic about the remainder of this year.

“I don't think I'll be back on my bike for a good while now. I think the team is good with that.

“They just say to recover, there is no rush to come back. Hopefully, I'll pull the BMC Racing Team jersey on by the end of the year.”

Porte has spoken to his parents, Penny and Ian, back in Launceston and has been joined in Chambery by his wife, Gemma.

Looking forward to returning to his European home in Monaco, he said wellwishers had considerably helped with the beginning of his recovery.

“I think that's the thing with social media. You see the good and the bad. It's overwhelmingly good.

“People are so supportive and really do care so I can't say thank you enough to all of those people. It means the world to me so thank you very much.”

The third of Europe’s Grand Tours, the Vuelta a Espana runs from August 19 to September 10 while this year’s 277km world championship road race takes place in the Norwegian city of Bergen on September 24.