Julien Alaphilippe has returned to training on the road for the first time since his big crash in Liège-Bastogne-Liège last month. He said his participation in the Tour de France is "still possible" depending on the speed of his recovery.

The world champion, who suffered two ribs, a broken scapula, and a punctured lung in a group crash at the Col du Rosier in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, revealed on Tuesday that he joined his Quick-Step Alphavinil teammates for a training camp in the Sierra Nevada

"I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this up.

"After my last checkup in Herental, I am happy to be back on the bike for the first time since my crash in Liège-Bastogne-Liège," Alaphilippe said in a statement released by the team.

"The good news is that my lungs are fully recovered. The pain from the fracture is still there and I was advised that it is safe to start training, which is totally normal as injuries like this take time to recover."

Alaphilippe resumed his training first on the roller table before heading out on the road, and then received permission to travel to the Sierra Nevada to join the team.

"I'm getting better every day and I hope to keep it up. The injury just needs time, no treatment or surgery. So I can run again and the team has agreed that I can come here and join the camp," said Alaphilippe, who hopes to return to competition in time for the Tour, which starts on July 1 in Copenhagen.

Alaphilippe has worn the yellow jersey in each of the last three Tours, including 2019, when he led the race for two weeks and finished fifth overall in Paris. Last year, he won the opening stage of the Tour in Landernaud.

"I try to be an optimist, but I know I need to take my time and see how my training goes," Alaphilippe said.

"If everything continues as it is, the Tour de France is still an option.