French rider Yoan Offredo attacked while out training

French cyclist Yoan Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) was attacked on Monday while out for a training ride with two friends. The 30-year was assaulted by two men with a baseball bat and a blade leaving Offredo bloodied, with a fractured nose and bruising.

Offredo announced the incident on his Facebook page and said that apart from the injuries the attack left him shocked. “I’m not angry, I’m just sad to find that this beautiful sport that I love, I do not want my kids to practice … it’s too dangerous,” Offredo wrote on Facebook reflecting on the attack. “You leave for training in the morning, but you never know if you’re going to return home.”

The assault comes two days after 37-year-old Italian Michele Scarponi was struck and killed by a motorist while training near his home in Filottrano, Italy.

Upon hearing the news of Scarponi’s death, Offredo wrote a tribute on Facebook which read: “Scarpo was a nice guy, the guy who always has a nice little word, that guy who saw him give you a smile. He was a rider like me who trains every day but never came back, a victim like too many of a road accident. He was also, and above all, a father of a family, leaving his family with sadness, merely by having wished to do his trade. Ciao Scarpo.”

Offredo rode for French WorldTour outfit FDJ from 2007 to 2016. In 2017, he signed for Belgian UCI pro continental squad Wanty-Groupe Gobert. He finished 14th at this year’s Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.

Offredo’s Facebook post following the assault

I started cycling at the age of 12 with all the recklessness that goes with it. I was far from suspecting that this passion would give birth to a profession, that of a cyclist.

I was also far from suspecting that during my career I was going to meet magical people, some who would leave far too soon.

I was also far from imagining that this trade would be so dangerous.

I was also far from imagining that my job would sometimes be at the peril of my life.

Today I was victim of an assault with a blade and baseball bat during a workout with two friends … Result: a fractured nose, a rib in a bad state and bruises all over the body. But beyond physical wounds, I am especially shocked.

I’m not angry, I’m just sad to find that this beautiful sport that I love, I do not want my kids to practice … it’s too dangerous. You leave for training in the morning, but you never know if you’re going home.
Just sad to note, that in the country of human rights, the rights of cyclists are ignored.