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Yoann Offredo releases details of motoring attack

Attacked by car and it occupants during a training session in Chevreuse Valley, south west of Paris, the cyclist recalls the shocking events

On Monday morning, Yoann Offredo trained as usual in the valley of the Chevreuse, in France with two friends, Guillaume Judas and Alexis Iserable. The events took place on the road linking Gif-sur-Yvette and Saint-Rémy-les-Chevreuse which is south west of Paris, not far from the famous Versailles chateau.

The Wanty Group rider explained "We were ride two abreast at the back with one of us in front. A car came up behind us, really close, I mean so close he was nearly touching our rear wheels. The car then swerved round us and hit one of us on the left side and then braked hard in front of us."

"One of us shouted out "you ****" and I approached the drivers side. The driver grabbed a knife and went for me so I blocked her from getting out of the car. But at the same time the passenger got out and he went to the trunk and pulled out a shovel handle and smashed me round the back of the head."

"Meanwhile the driver was also revving the engine like she's going to reverse and run my other two companions over, so Alexis kicked the car."

"The other motorist continued to beat me several times with the shovel handle to my body and head. I managed to remove the handle and then he head butted me head which broke my nose."

"My two companions managed to immobilize the car and called the police."

"I also had cuts to my hands and arms from the knife."

"We filed a full complaint which went to court."

Yoann Offredo releases details of motoring attack

Yoann said he has suffered verbals assaults from motorists who were not very tolerant of cyclists from time to time, like most cyclists have, but has never encountered an unprovoked attack like this.

"With 150 deaths in France each year among cyclists, I felt, this time it was right we pressed charges for assault. I very scared in court."

Yoann Offredo releases details of motoring attack

Cyclists regularly suffer from the recurring lack of respect from certain motorists during bike rides, can only agree with Offredo - but it does not in any way justify being attacked in this way.

With the recent death of four well known cyclists including Scarponi who was buried today, cyclists all over the world are shocked and saddened, who all to easily can put themselves in their position.

The former FDJ rider, who finished 14th at both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix this month, should be able to take part in the Four Days of Dunkirk race from May 9th, his team said.

Yoann Offredo releases details of motoring attack