Florian Sénéchal’s 2024 season was his first with a French group since racing for Cofidis again in 2017, however his yr did not go to plan after transferring from Soudal-QuickStep, with the Classics specialist describing a season beset by accidents, psychological struggles and burnout.
Talking to Breton newspaper Le Télégramme, the 31-year-old, advised of how collarbone accidents within the spring gave technique to a lack of confidence and hitting “all-time low” amid private issues off the bike.
Sénéchal, a key a part of QuickStep’s now-largely dismantled Classics squad, was signed to spice up Arkéa-B&B Accommodations’ fortunes within the self-discipline in addition to work as a lead-out for sprinter Arnaud Démare, however his season was rapidly derailed by a crash at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
“I broke my collarbone. Three weeks later, I raced once more and fell on the identical collarbone once more,” Sénéchal advised Le Télégramme.
“That was the start of the ordeal. From that time on, I utterly misplaced confidence in myself. I did not know find out how to race or trip a motorcycle anymore.”
He added that the loss of life of his grandfather additionally affected him tremendously, with the cumulation of issues – together with bouts of insomnia – contributing to what he described as his hardest time as an expert racer.
“I had by no means skilled something like this throughout my time as an expert,” he stated. “I’ve by no means been so low. I hit all-time low. I might have sunk with out family members and the assistance of the group.
“Mentally, it was now not doable. I hit all-time low and there was no extra water within the pool.”
2021 Vuelta a España stage winner Sénéchal stated that, at one level, he even thought of stepping away from the bike completely.
“I advised myself that I used to be going to finish my profession, that it was the top, that my physique was saying ‘cease’. I used to be near burnout and delicate to the whole lot. I needed to surrender the whole lot. I used to be misplaced.”
Regardless of the hardships of his season, Sénéchal stated that he “by no means misplaced motivation” and saved on coaching, ending his yr with a slew of one-day outings in September and October.
His prime results of 2024 remained a prime 10 on the Antwerp Port Basic in Could, however Sénéchal stated he closed out the yr with good legs. Now he is focussed and prepared for 2025.
“I will be out for revenge,” he stated. “I’ve no alternative. The counter is reset to zero.”
