Groupama - FDJ rider sidelined for months after hip fracture in training accident

Groupama - FDJ has suffered a significant setback ahead of the 2026 season after Olivier Le Gac sustained a serious injury during a training ride. The 32-year-old French rider fractured his femoral neck after slipping on black ice and was forced to undergo emergency surgery.

The accident occurred on Friday, 2 January, during an off-season training session. According to the team, Le Gac lost control of his bike on an icy patch and suffered a heavy fall. Medical examinations confirmed a fracture of the femoral neck, which is one of the most severe injuries for a professional cyclist.

Groupama-FDJ United confirmed the diagnosis and the operation the following day. “Following a crash that occurred yesterday, Olivier Le Gac is suffering from a fracture of the femoral neck. The surgical intervention went well and Olivier is now beginning his recovery phase,” the team said in a statement.

The timing is particularly unfavorable for Le Gac, whose season was due to begin in two weeks at the Tour Down Under, the first race of the calendar. Under contract until the end of the year, the Breton rider now faces an extended period away from competition, potentially sidelining him for much of the spring, if not longer.

This latest injury adds to a series of setbacks for Le Gac, who was already forced to abandon the 4 Jours de Dunkerque in May 2025 after breaking his collarbone. A long-serving member of the team since joining in 2014, he has been regarded as a key support rider within the squad.

Beyond the individual impact, Le Gac’s absence represents a strategic blow for the team. The French squad is coming off a disappointing 2025 season, finishing 18th in the UCI WorldTour rankings, and is currently undergoing a period of internal transition following the departure of long-time manager Marc Madiot last December.