Former Europcar rider killed in collision with truck in France

French cyclist Romain Guyot was killed in a collision with a truck on Thursday while training near Roche-Sur-Yon. The Vendée U rider, who had been a stagiaire with Europcar at the end of last season, was just 23-years-old.

The exact circumstances of the crash are not yet known, but Ouest France reports that Guyot collided with a truck at around noon and despite the attention of doctors and firefighters died at the scene.

Writing on Facebook, former team-mate Pierre Rolland paid tribute to Guyot and also took the opportunity to bemoan the behaviour of some drivers who he sees as being oblivious to the threat their vehicles can pose to vulnerable road users.

“The world of cycling is crying. Tomorrow, I'm going to practice with a knot in my stomach trying, like every day, to avoid a good number of motorists who can't see us, or who take very little interest! I think a lot of them forget that their vehicle is a weapon for us cyclists/pedestrians. Unfortunately accidents and tragedies are multiplying! Rest in peace.”

Police have opened an enquiry into the incident.