Former world number one Laurent Jalabert has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after being knocked down in Montauban in France.
According to La Dépêche du Midi, the ex pro was riding his bike this morning but was hit by an oncoming car and knocked unconscious. He came too while being treated by emergency services, but remains hurt.
According to those treating him, he has suffered a leg fracture as a result of the crash. Other French media sources have suggested multiple fractures, but details are unclear.
Jalabert competed as a professional between 1989 and 2002. He won the Vuelta a España in 1995 and also took a number of other big events, including Milan Sanremo, the Giro di Lombardia, two editions of La Flèche Wallone, three editions of Paris-Nice, the Volta a Catalunya, the Tour de Romandie, the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and the 1997 world time trial championships.
He also rode strongly in the Tour de France, although his best overall finish in the race was fourth in 1995. He won the points classification and the King of the Mountains twice each, and also took four stages. His Vuelta haul includes eighteen stages.
Since retiring from the sport, he has remained involved in cycling through TV commentating and other work. He is currently the French national coach.