does that photo suggest he avoided external fixation and therefore got the infection under control?
To me it suggests that almost a year after his accident, his arm is still so compromised that it is in a sling and device to prevent any movement. It also says that his muscle atrophy on that side is shocking.
I haven't been able to exercise for six weeks, since my operation, at the level that I was exercising at, and won't be able to for a few more months, I am only now beginning light exercise. I have lost five pounds of muscle mass.
I have a fraction of the upper body strength that I had. I doubt that I could curl 30 pounds once, opposed to sets of 20. I also can't do one pushup. As opposed to 25. That's in six weeks.
It certainly is possible that he will be back on a bike next year, but I wouldn't be betting ten cents on a world championship.