Nacer Bouhanni 'fights' with drunk hotel guests ahead of French road race

Nacer Bouhanni reportedly started the French National Championships road race with four stitches in his right hand and minimal sleep after an altercation with drunk hotel guests the night before.

According to L'Equipe, the French sprinter was awoken at 4am by three intoxicated guests near his room at the hotel near Besançon, where the Cofidis riders were staying ahead of Sunday's race.

Bouhanni reportedly asked the guests to keep the noise down but an altercation broke out in the corridor. In the commotion, Bouhanni - who practices boxing in the offseason - suffered a cut to his hand.

L'Equipe reports that the winner of four WorldTour stages this season was taken to hospital for treatment following the incident, but that didn't stop Bouhanni from taking to the start line on Sunday morning.

The French National Championships road race took place on a 248.9km course in Vesoul, just north of Besançon in the east of the country. The race was won by Arthur Vichot of FDJ.