Nukeproof SRAM Factory Racing’s all-round living legend, Sam Hill, has spoken out on social media to update his fans on his progress from the injury he sustained at Crankworx Cairns at the end of the season. 

The five-time UCI Downhill World Champion and three-times Enduro World Series overall title winner crashed during practice for the downhill race and sustained extensive back and shoulder injuries. The Australian badly dislocated his shoulder and suffered a fracture in the joint itself which may need further surgery.  

Speaking on his Instagram account, Hill said:

Thought I’d give everyone a little update since my crash in Cairns at Crankworx.

“Since coming back to Perth and meeting my surgeon, the damage isn’t as bad as first expected. I had surgery today and all went well. My back fractures are stable, my shoulder needed a clean up inside the joint after my dislocation as I had some hematomas / tendon repairs. Can’t thank my surgeon Benny and his team enough for getting me in so quick and the care given. 

As for my recovery, not too sure what time frame I’m looking at but I’m glad I’ve got some time to heal up. I had a few events lined up to race in Australia this off season to get myself back to where I wanna be but unfortunately these accidents happen. It's frustrating because I was finally finding my rhythm again after a tough couple years and then this. I’ve got a goal, a plan I wanna achieve for myself and I know I will get there. Big things are coming for next year so hopefully recovery goes smoothly and I can get back on track to where I need to be for racing in 2023.

I want to say a big thank you to everyone for the messages and support this past week, really appreciate it, legends. It’s sick to see how many of you were so keen to watch me ride downhill again. Also a massive thank you to my wife for stopping everything on her holiday with the kids to help sort me and my wing out, yet again and get us home. Love ya @mrssamhill__

The only pro men’s rider to have taken three consecutive titles was coming off the back of an Enduro World Series that had seen him climb back into the top 10 at EWS Sugarloaf giving his fans hope of a return to form. It obviously wasn’t lost to many of them that Hill was back aboard a downhill bike again either. Will 2023 be the year we see Hill back on the big bike at the UCI MTB World Cup?! Watch this space…