I still remember the first time I shouted at my TV because of Romain Bardet. It was the 2016 Tour de France, and I was glued to the screen as Bardet launched a daring solo attack on a rain-soaked mountain stage.
He flew past his rivals with pure determination, and for a brief, electrifying moment, it felt like France’s decades-long wait for a homegrown Tour champion might finally end. That was the day I truly became a Bardet fan.
Following his career over the years has been a rollercoaster — exhilarating climbs, heartbreaking setbacks, podium finishes, and unexpected turns.
But what I admire most about Bardet isn’t just the results; it’s the relentless spirit and quiet elegance he brought to every race. He wasn’t just racing against others — he was racing against his own limits.
Who Is Romain Bardet, and Why Did He Capture the Heart of Cycling Fans?
Image source- Instagram
Romain Bardet is a French professional cyclist known for his incredible climbing skills and fierce general classification ambitions. He turned pro with AG2R La Mondiale in 2012 and quickly rose to prominence as one of France’s brightest hopes for Tour de France glory.
Bardet made headlines with his fearless style and consistency in the mountains. In 2016, he finished second overall at the Tour, following it up with a third-place finish in 2017. He even claimed the prestigious mountains classification in 2019, proving he wasn’t just a GC contender — he was a complete rider.
But Bardet’s story isn’t just about yellow jerseys and podiums. It’s about evolution. After eight seasons with AG2R, he switched to Team DSM (later dsm-firmenich and eventually Picnic PostNL) in 2021, seeking a fresh environment and a more balanced approach to racing.
That move gave him a new sense of purpose — and it showed in his performances, from a stage win at the 2021 Vuelta a España to wearing the yellow jersey for a day at the 2024 Tour de France.
What Are the Biggest Highlights of Romain Bardet’s Career?
Looking back at Bardet’s career feels like flipping through a scrapbook of cycling’s most dramatic moments.
He built a legacy on both Grand Tour podiums and heroic one-day rides. Here’s a quick snapshot of his major achievements:
| Year | Achievement | Event |
| 2015 | Stage Win | Tour de France |
| 2016 | 2nd Overall GC | Tour de France |
| 2017 | 3rd Overall GC | Tour de France |
| 2019 | Mountains Classification Winner | Tour de France |
| 2021 | Stage Win | Vuelta a España |
| 2022 | Overall GC Winner | Tour of the Alps |
| 2024 | Wore Yellow Jersey (1 day) | Tour de France |
| 2025 | Monsterrando Gravel Race Winner | UCI Gravel World Series |
Each of these results tells a story — from his first Tour stage win in 2015 to conquering the mountains classification in 2019.
His second-place finish in 2016 remains one of the closest shots a French rider has had at the yellow jersey in the modern era.
Even outside the Tour, Bardet showed his versatility. He came heartbreakingly close to the Giro d’Italia podium in 2022 before illness forced him out.
And his second-place finish at the 2018 World Championships road race showed he could shine on the global stage, too.
Why Did Romain Bardet Retire and What Is He Doing Now?
When Romain Bardet announced his retirement from road racing in early 2025, I felt that bittersweet pang every cycling fan knows too well. At 33, he decided it was time to close one chapter and start another.
His final road race, the Critérium du Dauphiné in June 2025, was a fitting farewell — a stage race that showcased the very terrain where Bardet built his legend.
But Bardet didn’t hang up his wheels. Instead, he embraced a new challenge: gravel racing. And, unsurprisingly, he took to it with the same passion and precision that defined his road career.
In August 2025, he claimed victory at the UCI Gravel World Series Monsterrando — his second gravel win and a clear sign that retirement doesn’t mean slowing down.
For Bardet, gravel isn’t just a new discipline — it’s a return to the pure joy of cycling. He’s spoken about how the gravel scene offers a more relaxed mindset, free from the relentless pressure of Grand Tours.
It’s still competitive, but it’s also more playful, more adventurous — and that suits Bardet perfectly at this stage of his life.
How Did Romain Bardet Change the Narrative of French Cycling?
It’s hard to overstate what Romain Bardet meant to French cycling. After decades without a homegrown Tour de France winner, fans pinned their hopes on a new generation — and Bardet led the charge.
His podium finishes in 2016 and 2017 ignited national pride and gave French fans something they hadn’t had in years: genuine belief that the yellow jersey could come home.
But Bardet’s impact goes beyond results. He brought a different kind of personality to the peloton — understated yet fierce, thoughtful yet aggressive on the bike.
He spoke openly about issues like race radios and rider education, showing that he cared about the sport’s evolution as much as his own success.
And perhaps most importantly, Bardet never stopped evolving. Moving away from the pressure cooker of French cycling to a foreign team was a bold choice, but it allowed him to rediscover why he loved the sport. That decision — to put joy and balance ahead of national expectation — might be his most important legacy of all.
What Can We Learn from Romain Bardet’s Approach to Racing?
Watching Bardet over the years taught me a lot about resilience, reinvention, and passion. His story is a masterclass in knowing when to push forward and when to change course.
He could have stayed with AG2R forever, chasing the same goal year after year. Instead, he took a risk and sought new surroundings that reignited his motivation. That move didn’t just prolong his career — it deepened his love for cycling.
His transition to gravel racing is another lesson. Many athletes fade away quietly after retirement, but Bardet saw it as a chance to explore a new side of the sport. It’s a reminder that endings are often just new beginnings in disguise.
FAQs About Romain Bardet
How many Tour de France stages did Romain Bardet win?
Romain Bardet won four stages at the Tour de France across his career. His victories came in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2024. Each win showcased his strength as a climber and his knack for attacking at just the right moment. These stage wins, combined with his overall podium finishes, made him one of France’s most successful riders of his generation.
Did Romain Bardet ever win the Tour de France?
No, Bardet never won the Tour de France, but he came close. He finished second overall in 2016 and third in 2017, making him one of the top contenders of his era.
He also wore the yellow jersey for one day in 2024 and won the mountains classification in 2019. Even without the overall victory, his performances were deeply respected.
Why did Romain Bardet switch teams after 2020?
Bardet moved from AG2R La Mondiale to Team DSM in 2021 because he wanted a new environment and a different racing philosophy.
He felt the intense pressure of being France’s main GC hope was taking a toll. The switch allowed him to race with a more relaxed mindset and explore different goals, including stage hunting and gravel racing.
What is Romain Bardet doing after retiring from road racing?
After retiring from road racing in 2025, Bardet transitioned to gravel racing. He quickly found success, winning his second gravel race — the UCI World Series Monsterrando — in August 2025.
Gravel racing gives him a new challenge and a fresh way to enjoy cycling without the heavy expectations of Grand Tours.
The Climber’s Legacy: Why Romain Bardet Still Inspires Me
Every time I think about Romain Bardet, I think about the image of him attacking uphill, out of the saddle, face etched with determination.
He may not have won the Tour de France, but he gave us something arguably more valuable — the thrill of hope, the beauty of daring, and the lesson that success isn’t defined by one result.
His journey — from AG2R hopeful to gravel adventurer — proves that reinvention isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. And as Bardet continues to carve new paths beyond road racing, I can’t help but feel excited to follow along.
After all, the spirit that carried him up the steepest climbs is the same one pushing him into this new chapter. And if there’s one thing his career taught me, it’s this: the ride doesn’t end when the road does — it just takes a different route.
