“I was at rock bottom” - Florian Senechal explains difficult 2024

Florian Sénéchal, a 31-year-old classics specialist, made a high-profile switch to the French team Arkéa-B&B Hotels last winter, with ambitions to become the team’s leader in the cobbled classics. Unfortunately, he suffered a difficult season in 2024, and was not at his best.

In the spring, Sénéchal's results were far from what was expected, with a 62nd place finish in the Tour of Flanders being a low point. Reflecting on the year in an interview with Le Télégramme, Sénéchal candidly described his experience: “I was close to a burn-out.”

To say his first season at Arkéa-B&B Hotels was disappointing would be an understatement. The problems started early on, with a crash in February during Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, leaving him with a broken collarbone. “Three weeks later, I resumed competing and fell again on the same collarbone. From that moment on, I completely lost my self-confidence.”

Senechal explained that his injuries compounded into a deeper struggle, as he found himself unsure of how to race, “I didn't know how to race anymore, how to ride a bike.”

Tragedy further struck when his grandfather passed away, a loss that weighed heavily on him as he admitted feeling guilty for not visiting him often enough. This combination of physical and emotional challenges led him into a downward spiral.

“Mentally, I couldn't do it anymore, I was at rock bottom,” Senechal confessed. “Without my loved ones and without the support of the team, I had collapsed. I thought about ending my career, that it was over, that my body was shutting down. I was close to a burn-out, sensitive to everything, I wanted to give up everything, I had lost my way.”

Despite the hardships, Senechal has since regained control of his situation. He has found the strength to return to training and remains determined to make a comeback. “I never lost my motivation. In 2025 I will be out for revenge, I have no other choice. The counter is back to zero.”

Senechal, a rider with a strong pedigree in the classics, is no stranger to success. He won a stage at the Vuelta a España in 2021 and was crowned French national champion in 2022. Now, after a tough season, he is focused on reclaiming his best form for the year ahead.