Hit by a car on Monday, Laurent Jalabert has been operated upon by surgeons at the Clinique du Pont de Chaume de Montauban in order to stabilise the multiple fractures he suffered.
The former world number one and 1995 Vuelta a España winner was training near his home in Montauban on Monday when he was knocked from his bike by a car. The Frenchman suffered a range of fractures and lost consciousness for a period of time, while his Look bike was completely destroyed.
These have now been successful operated on, according to the clinic. “Laurent Jalabert was treated last night for a broken leg, and several humerus fractures of the hand," it said in a statement yesterday. “The intervention lasted for more than two hours and went very well.”
It added that he has been resting since and is likely to stay in the clinic for five to six days. “He can start his rehabilitation quickly, possibly in a specialized center for this purpose, if he wishes.”
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 twice won the points classification in the Tour de France and was also a two-time winner of the King of the Mountains jersey. His best overall finish in the race was fourth overall in 1995. Jalabert’s most successful Grand Tour was however the Vuelta a España; in addition to his 1995 victory, he also won 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.