The Frenchman, formerly ranked number one in the world road cycling rankings in the 1990's, told L'Équipe that the FCF's request to him to include Mickaël Bourgain in his five-man Olympic squad for London 2012 to ensure that he would be eligible to race on the track, was the action that forced him to resign, labelling the team's Olympic campaign as "an injustice".

"I simply saw the Olympic Games as an injustice because I was lacking in support." said Jalabert.

"I wasn't the one who chose to select a track rider for the road race but I was judged as the only person responsible for the failure of the French team, even if that's relative.

"In my head, I knew that my mission as national coach had finished.

Jalabert has claimed that the FCF's request for him to include Mickaël Bourgain in his Olympic squad was a major factor in his decision to step down as national road team coach

"It finished there, even if that's not what I wanted.

"But unfortunately, we never had the chance.

"I don't want to start a polemic, I'm not blaming anyone, neither him [FCF President David Lappertient] nor the riders."

Jalabert did lead the French team to the 2012 UCI Road World Championships shortly after the Olympics in the Dutch province of Limburg, where France won a solitary gold medal, thanks to Sylvain Chavanel, who was part of Omega Pharma-Quick Step who won the men's time trial team held for professional squads.

But it was France's failure to win a medal at the 2012 Olympics that saw the pressure pile on the coach.

"That was a difficult period for me." he said

"There were lots of medals in other sports but we didn't have anything.

"All of a sudden, I was a pariah and journalists asked me if I was sure of staying at the head of the French team.

"That was a big shock, I really didn't expect it.

"It would have been good to have a bit of support but it never came."

The 44-year-old from Mazamet was taken to hospital in a serious condition last month after being struck by a car whilst out cycling, which resulted in fractures to his leg and arm.

"My accident made me reflect a lot," he said.

"I was struggling to decide and that precipitated my decision.

"I needed to be honest with everyone and with the FFC so that they can prepare for the future, starting now.

"This choice is the best solution for everyone and I know that it will even please certain people."

France's national track coach Florian Rousseau stepped down earlier this year

Jalabert follows French track cycling coach Florian Rousseau out the door, after he resigned in February this year, and former team director Isabelle Gautheron - who infamously claimed British cyclists were using "magic wheels" at London 2012 - who stepped down in the aftermath of the Games last summer.

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