
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleFlorian Sénéchal switched to a French team last winter. With Arkéa-B&B Hotels, he was supposed to become the leader in the cobbles classics and, as lead-out, help Arnaud Démare to victories. Neither goal was achieved. In the spring, Sénéchal came no further than 62nd place in the Tour of Flanders. He also failed to help Démare achieve many victories. In an interview with Le Télégramme, the northern Frenchman recalls his difficult season: "I was close to burnout."
ADVERTISEMENT
To say that his first season at Arkéa-B&B Hotels did not unfold as he had hoped is an understatement. He even felt the urge to "give up everything." The problems began at the end of February with a crash in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. "I broke my collarbone. Three weeks later, I resumed competition and crashed again on the same collarbone. From that moment, I completely lost my confidence," he explained.
The former Quick Step rider became afraid to fight for his place in the peloton, but it didn't stop there. "I didn't know how to race anymore or cycle." To make matters worse, he also lost his grandfather. He admits he didn't visit him often enough. And so the former French champion ended up in a downward spiral.
Text continues below photo

Florian Sénéchal in the colors of Arkéa-B&B Hotels
Sénéchal in downward spiral: "I hit rock bottom"
"Mentally, it was no longer sustainable; I hit rock bottom," Sénéchal begins his sad story. "I would have collapsed without my loved ones and the team's support. I thought about ending my career, thinking it was over, and my body shut down. I was close to burnout and sensitive to everything. I wanted to give up everything but had lost my grip."
Meanwhile, everything is back under control. Sénéchal has recovered and is willing to train again. "I never lost my motivation. In 2025 I am out for revenge, I have no other choice. The counter is back on zero."
Read also
IDL-productions

Onley, Dickson, Thornley and now Mason; Scotland is punching way above its cycling weight

Cyclocross legend Lars van der Haar had a tough time after retiring from cyclocross: 'It was over pretty quickly'

Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'

Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"

Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Latest Cycling News

Michael Vanthourenhout's severe crash overshadows thrilling men's cyclocross race in merksplas

Thibau Nys offers glimpse into unbelievable cyclocross comeback: 'That uncertainty, that struggle with self-confidence'

Complications surround Wout van Aert's World Cyclocross Championship start

Thibau Nys and Lucinda Brand's team lose title sponsor in the middle of the cyclocross season

Onley, Dickson, Thornley and now Mason; Scotland is punching way above its cycling weight
Popular Cycling News

Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'

Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash

Thibau Nys and Lucinda Brand's team lose title sponsor in the middle of the cyclocross season

Extensive evidence of use of N-word, homophobia, and Asian-hate by track cyclist Matthew Richardson revealed

Michael Vanthourenhout's severe crash overshadows thrilling men's cyclocross race in merksplas
Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026


