French World Tour rider left unconscious and with several broken bones after being hit by a car

Training on the road for pro cyclists is a dangerous job, as many have learnt this year. The list of injuries from riders getting hit by drivers on the road, however, continues to extend and is leaving a dent in the peloton. This Friday, Arkéa - B&B Hotels' Thibault Guernalec was the victim of a car accident and suffered multiple fractures as well as loss of consciousness. 

The French team is coming to an end this year, but until the end of 2025, its riders will continue to wear black and red and represent its sponsors. Arkéa informed on social media about the incident. Guernalec was training when he was hit by a car head-on. He suffered a concussion and loss of consciousness, a fractured finger, and a fractured vertebra.

It is uncertain what his current status is; however, the Frenchman is now likely stable and in the hospital. The 28-year-old does not yet have a contract for 2026, although it had been heavily rumoured that he was joining TotalEnergies. However, it hasn't been made public, and if it hasn't been agreed on, these injuries can put his transfer and career into jeopardy at the time being.

Guernalec is a talented time trialist, and currently, he is part of the reigning mixed relay TTT team that won the European Championships event. This year, he finished in the Top 5 of Etoile de Bessèges and finished in the Top 10 of several time trials throughout the season, including a few days in the World Tour. Out of those who raced for Arkéa, Guernalec is one of ten riders that hasn't yet found a new team, that is publicly known.

As previously written, he could join TotalEnergies, whilst Florian Sénéchal looks set to join Alpecin-Deceuninck. The likes of cyclocross specialist Clément Venturini, Miles Scotson, and even Thibault's brother Victor are also yet to sign a new deal.