Etienne Fabre, one of the leading young talents in French cycling, has died at the age of 20 following a fall during a hike in the Bauges Mountains.

Fabre's death was confirmed on Sunday in a statement by Velo Club Rodez, the club he initially represented as a youngster.

He duly moved to the Chambery team and was chosen as a trainee rider for professional outfit AG2R La Mondiale, who expressed their sorrow on Twitter.

A tweet from AG2R La Mondiale's official account read: "Great sadness this morning on hearing the death of Etienne Fabre. The team shares the pain of his family and friends."

According to Velo Club Rodez, Fabre's father, Yves, was seriously injured in November when he fell from his bike.