Chris Froome (Team Sky) has posted a photo of his ruined bike on Twitter, saying that it was 'totalled' when he was 'rammed on purpose' by a driver in France.
The rider says that the 'impatient driver... followed him onto the pavement,' but added that he was unharmed in the alledged incident.
As can be seen by the photo, however, his Pinarello race bike is a probable write-off with the wheels completely ruined.
This July Froome will attempt to defend his Tour de France title and in the process take his fourth (third consecutive) overall win.
If, as is hoped, he is indeed unharmed then this should have little impact on his training ahead of the Grand Depart in Düsseldorf, Germany on Saturday 1st July.
Froome's next race is expected to be the Critérium du Dauphiné which runs from Sunday 4th to Sunday 11th June.
The British rider has won the Dauphiné every year he has won the Tour de France, so it will be a bellwether of his form ahead of the Grande Boucle.