So, so sad.

The former professional rider Arnaud Coyot died following a road traffic accident near Beauvais, in France, on Sunday morning.

Current Cofidis professional Guillaume Levarlet, and Ag2r La Mondiale rider Sébastien Minard were also present in the car.

The driver, Guillaume Levarlet, lost control and the car hit a metal barrier

Coyot was taken to hospital in Amiens, where he died from his injuries.

Le Courrier Picard reports that Levarlet was detained by police after the accident. Luckily, Levarlet and Sébastien Minard were uninjured. It appears that Leverlet may have been drinking alcohol prior to the accident. Never a good idea.

Arnaud Coyot was a professional from 2003 to 2012. He participated in four Tour de France, and claim victory at the 2006 Classic Haribo. Coyot retired at the end of the 2012. The reason was a persistent knee injury.