He is still walking with a faint limp, but given the hardships Chris Froome has faced in recent months, it is no wonder he is upbeat about his return to racing in the UAE Tour.

After all, it was only a few months ago, early December to be exact, that the four-time Tour de France winner was forced to undergo his third surgery for an infection stemming from surgeries on his right side and right leg.

The infections were caused by an allergic reaction to the sutures that were sewn together during his second metal removal surgery in November. News of this third surgery was revealed by Froome to both Cycling News and The Times at the finish of the second stage of the UAE Tour.

The scar still remains, and a metal plate held in place by four screws will forever remain on his right femur. Froom talked about his months of rehabilitation since his career-threatening crash at last year's Criterium du Dauphiné.

There have been several key points since last June. After the surgery, Froome spent several months recuperating in bed and then in a wheelchair when he began his rehabilitation. Being able to walk, he says, was one of the most difficult points.

"It was tough. It was really hard," Froome told Cyclingnews and The Times.

"You don't think about it until you're in that kind of state. Certainly, after being bedridden for weeks and in a wheelchair for weeks, walking felt so alien."

"It's a very different feeling.

"It was much harder than getting back on the bike. On the bike it actually felt very natural and easy, but trying to walk normally was the hardest part of rehab."

Not only were there physical struggles, but also mental ones.

"I could barely walk, and the idea of being a professional cyclist again seemed so far away. [I was incredibly lucky to be surrounded by really good people in rehab and physio and the overall team around me. Everyone had high morale and positive energy. That made it very easy."

Froom reached several important milestones during his comeback, but when asked what his biggest breakthrough during his time away from professional cycling was, he chose something completely unrelated to cycling.

"I remember, maybe a month and a half or two months later, getting into the pool for the first time. I had been bedridden until then, so it was liberating. Getting in the pool and being able to move again was probably one of the biggest milestones. Before that, it was pretty hard to do anything."

In the UAE Tour, Froome returned for the first time since last June. He rode well on the opening stage, but when the climb up to the Hatta Dam began on Monday, he suffered as he should have.

Still, he managed to shift gears by supporting teammate Eddie Dunbar as the pace began to pick up, and fought back even after falling off on the final climb.

After the UAE Tour, he will return to Europe for another high altitude camp. Other races are being considered, but no schedule has yet been released.

"I wasn't in pain, but I haven't raced in eight months. I just want to race more." I feel good and I'm really happy for my first race back. My legs feel good and I'm in good shape.

"I just tried to do my job for the team and keep Eddie up there. He's in great shape, so I'm going to give it my all for him and try to keep him in position to get a result."

Froom was asked how he felt when he was first passed by the peloton before catching up before the final climb.

"It kept me motivated to keep progressing. For me, I'm just at the start and I'm really happy with how I've felt so far. There is still a long way to go, but like I said before the race started, this is my first test now."

During the race, Froome's rehabilitation program has taken a backseat. He admits that stretching and training his right side, his weak spot, is his top priority, and although he still has a gimpy back, it should resolve itself as he continues to improve.

"Of course, the right side hasn't been under such great strain for a long time now. There are a lot of little things that need to be worked on.

"I still have a limp, but that will heal. It's a lot better than it was a few months ago."