Cherel left with multiple injuries after training crash caused by dog

AG2R La Mondiale’s Mikaël Cherel descends mon stage 18 of the 2020 Tour de France
AG2R La Mondiale’s Mikaël Cherel descends on stage 18 of the 2020 Tour de France (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

AG2R La Mondiale's Mikaël Cherel has been left nursing a broken collarbone, a collapsed lung and two broken ribs after a training crash in the south of France, during which he collided with a dog that had escaped from its owner.

"You might be wondering why I've posted this picture of a cute little dog on my timeline," he wrote in a relatively lighthearted message on Instagram on Tuesday evening. "Perhaps it's the morphine that I've been prescribed that is kicking in…

"Of course, I can't blame the dog that I crashed into after it tried to cross the road right in front of me," Cherel continued. "Neither can I blame the lady walking along the seafront from whom the dog escaped – although I can be annoyed about her act of cowardice, taking the opportunity to make her escape while I was left lying on the ground."

He then thanked a number of people by name, who were presumably passers-by, as well as the emergency services that came to his aid.

"A scan later revealed a double collarbone fracture, two broken ribs and a collapsed lung," he wrote. "But it could have been worse, as they say."

Cherel said that he was going to have to stay in hospital overnight for observation, and AG2R La Mondiale team doctor Eric Bouvat also later confirmed the injuries, adding that it was currently unknown how long the 34-year-old would be out of action for.

Today's best Black Friday deals

Today's cycling-related highlights from the Black Friday sales. For even more, view our guide to the best Black Friday bike deals where you'll find on all things cycling, including bikes, helmets, clothing and more. 

Today's best deals: USA

Today's best deals: UK

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Cyclingnews is the world's leader in English-language coverage of professional cycling. Started in 1995 by University of Newcastle professor Bill Mitchell, the site was one of the first to provide breaking news and results over the internet in English. The site was purchased by Knapp Communications in 1999, and owner Gerard Knapp built it into the definitive voice of pro cycling. Since then, major publishing house Future PLC has owned the site and expanded it to include top features, news, results, photos and tech reporting. The site continues to be the most comprehensive and authoritative English voice in professional cycling.