“One of the best people in the peloton”, “The best in cycling” … The peloton tells Romain Bardet, who farewells cycling

He finished with professional cycling. On the evening of Sunday, June 15, after the Critérium du Dauphiné, Romain Bardet will put his bike, at 34, after fourteen years in the peloton and 11 victories, including four on the Tour de France. For the occasion, former teammates and adversaries told the French climber to Franceinfo: Sport.

If a characteristic should come out, it would be his professionalism. Potilious to the end of the pedals, meticulous and applied to the extreme, Romain Bardet has never left anything to chance from his beginnings with AG2R in 2012, until his last race this week. “He has always maximized its potential on a goal with a lot of intelligence and brilliance “analyzes our consultant Lilian Calmejane, who preceded it six months to withdraw from the peloton. “He is someone who does things with a lot of professionalism and investment. He would not have agreed to make a half-season as a farewell tour and at a bad level”adds the one who ended his career at Intermarché-Wanty.

The symbol of his meticulousness rests in particular in the courses at altitude, which he brought to his team in his first years. “At the start, he even did it individually. And little by little, we accompanied him with a certain number of team members”rembobine average Manager Vincent laven. 'He was a pioneer. He did it in 2012, there was only Sky who did that. He was already going there several times. He documented himself, he tested and experienced things long before other teams. On this, he was at the forefront “adds Lilian Calmejane.

In the race, all salute an open, respectful and fundamentally kind runner, As evidenced by this container given to Remco Evenepoel, however not of his team, during the 6th stage of the Dauphiné on Friday. They add uunrivaled science of racing. “He is a runner who is really respectful in the peloton, this is not the case for everyone! Beyond his physical capacities, he has a consistency, a science of the race to salute “rents Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet (Groupama-FDJ). “It is someone who was discreet, always respectful, really loved in the peloton. For me, he really embodies the best in cycling, it's the head and the legs”completes Yoann Offdo, who rubbed shoulders with eight years on the roads.

A leader side by the example of Lilian Calmejane. “I have often seen him manage his troops, his teammates well. I do not think he masters everything, but he has knowledge and intellectual and physical capacities so as not to have a sports director who speaks to him in his ear. This is what is incredible at home “admire the winner of a stage on the 2017 Tour de France.

However, is Romain Bardet the same once he poses the bike? This is largely the case, but not quite. “”It is rather reserved overall, especially vis-à-vis the outside, he put himself a small shell. It was a way to protect yourself, it is due to its privacy. On the other hand, in the very closed circle of friends, he let go, there is no problem, he knew how to do it “Remobobine Vincent washed. Et the Auvergnat fits to tout.

“He has a passion for wine, gastronomy, good tables. He is someone who does not hesitate to open the discussion, ask questions and take an interest in others. He has a lot of humor, he is a very cultivated and intelligent boy.”

Lilian Calmejane, former runner

In Franceinfo: Sport

Fifteenth for his first round in 2013, 2nd in 2016 then 3rd in 2017, Romain Bardet experienced his glory hours between 2015 and 2018, but he knew how to last until the end, with in particular a second place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2024, where good results on the Giro. “Il managed to continue to make podiums on the monuments, large results on the big towers in the current generation. He managed to exist in this bike with the fantastic four when it already existed in 2013 “constate Lilian Calmejane.

In competition with Thibaut Pinot during their splendid years, Romain Bardet may not have all touched the general public as much as the climber of Groupama-FDJ, despite an exceptional regularity. “Unlike a Pinot which is so spontaneous, which touched the hearts of the French, Bardet is colder in appearance and more measured in its words. On the field, he is encouraged but he does not have the same popularity as Pinot when the two have created vocations and has an incredible career “, constate Lilian Calmejane. “The general public may like runners a little less smooth. We realize that we also like the dramaturgy of sport. But in the middle, Romain has respect for the whole peloton, those who follow closely “Pondere Yoann Offdo.

Passed in 2021 at the DSM team (now Picnic Postnl) after nine years at AG2R, his lifelong training, Romain Bardet moved away from the French public, but also from the pressure he had to manage for a long time. “Romain aspired to that. With his new team, he was able to be a little freer from his program “estimates Vincent Lavenu, his manager who launched him at AG2R.

In the last phase of his career, Romain Bardet has further evolved at an excellent level, but he also took on a new role, that of veteran respected that his status offered him. “He has an incredible role. He put himself at the service of young talents to make transmission. He is a champion but he did it naturally, it reflects his character. He has a certain modesty but in the shadow he acts, it is really everything in his honor “reveals Christian Guiberteau, its sports director at Dutch training.

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If he should not go too far from the world of the little queen, his departure will leave a void in this training, that the 22 -year -olds Max Poole and Oscar Onley will try to fill. “He brought a lot of experience. Apart from the bike, he also played a key role, he is one of the best people in the peloton. I am going to be inspired by how he is, how he manages his life, it is something really precious”praised the first.

The word of the end returns to Romain Combaud, his roommate and training around Clermont-Ferrand. “ÇTo make a big void, it is a generation that goes away. He inspired many young people who arrive, like Lenny Martinez or Paul Seixas. “ Now, it is Romain Bardet who will be able to observe their future exploits on the Tour de France.