Details emerge of attack that left French pro Yoann Offredo with broken nose

French pro cyclist Yoann Offredo’s Wanty Groupe Gobert team have released details of the attack yesterday that left the 30-year-old with a broken nose and severe bruising when he was attacked during a training ride.

> Yoann Offredo attacked during training ride

Yesterday evening, the former FDJ rider, who finished 14th at both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix this month, posted pictures of his injuries to Facebook.

However, he did not reveal the circumstances surrounding the assault, which he said included being hit with a baseball bat, although the implement is now described as a “tool handle.”

In a statement published today, the Belgian UCI Professional Continental team said that Offredo had been riding with two other cyclists near his home in the Paris region when he was assaulted by the driver and passenger of a car.

It added that he will return to racing at the Four Days of Dunkirk next month.

Offredo said: “I was training with two colleagues in the Chevreuse valley when a car raged very close past us.

“Suddenly the driver braked with the intention of letting us crash.

“I wanted to talk to the driver, but she was ready to get out of the car with a cutter blade. In a reflex I blocked the door of the car.

“Then the passenger got out of the car and picked up a wooden tool handle from the suitcase. With that he hit me and afterwards he headbutted me.”

He continued: “The police then intervened. A dossier was opened and a complaint filed. I suffer from pain on the nose, on a rib and suffer from several bruises.

“I still have to go to the hospital to let determine the suffered damage.

“I am particularly shocked. I have been in cycling for 15 years and I have never experienced such a thing. Verbal aggression often occurs, but most of them stop there,” he added.