Ronan Augé reveals facial paralysis after horror crash but shares encouraging recovery update

Ronan Augé has taken another step in his recovery from his serious Tour de Langkawi crash, leaving his hospital room for the first time in more than two weeks.

The Unibet Rose Rockets rider remains in hospital in Kuala Lumpur after suffering multiple fractures in a crash during stage 6 on October 2. On Sunday, he shared a new update on Instagram, revealing that half of his face is paralysed.

"50% of my face is paralysed following a cycling crash," Augé wrote alongside a video showing the effects of the injury.

The 22-year-old has not lost his sense of humour, joking that he could now pursue "a new career as a professional face-puller."

Despite the facial paralysis, Augé is optimistic about his recovery. In a separate Instagram story, he described the sensation as "quite strange", but said he expects things to return to normal within the next few months.

Augé also shared a more positive development, revealing that he had been allowed to leave his hospital room for the first time in over two weeks. In footage posted on Instagram, he could be seen being pushed in a wheelchair.

"You have no idea how good this feels!" he wrote.

Augé suffered serious injuries in the crash, including fractures to his thigh, elbow, fingers, vertebra and skull. He was placed in a medically induced coma before regaining consciousness the following day.

Unibet Rose Rockets subsequently confirmed that he was able to communicate and move his arms and legs, while members of the team also visited him in hospital.

The Frenchman has since been keeping followers updated on his recovery, often with a touch of humour. In his latest posts, he joked about an unexpected two-week stay at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur, adding that he hopes to return to France soon.

His crash brought an abrupt end to a promising first season with the Rockets. Augé claimed his first professional victory at the Route d’Occitanie in June and had recorded two fourth-place finishes in Langkawi before the accident.