Romain Bardet: “The Giro is the genesis of what pushed me to continue”

Romain Bardet is approaching his last season in 2025 with the Giro in his sights. Photo: Picnic PostNL

Romain Bardet is in the twilight of his career. The Auvergnat will hang up his bike for good next June after Critérium du Dauphiné. So, for the 2025 season, he returns to the Giro one last time and will only participate in races that he enjoys.

Romain Bardet (34 years old) set himself a final challenge, that of winning a stage on the Giro 2025. For his last season as a professional, the resident of the Team Picnic PostNL will only compete in his favorite races. Of Paris-Nice au Critérium du Dauphinéthe Auvergne still intends to shine.

Romain Bardet wants to finish on a very good physical level

From his training location in Calpe, this Monday, Romain Bardet gave an interview to AFP. The runner Picnic PostNL (Ex: DSM) says he is proud of his program, despite the lack of those close to him which is seriously starting to weigh on him. “I am very happy with my program. These are just races that I want to do, that I love. I'm still going to spend more days in training than in competition, but if I want to finish at a very good physical level, I know it's going to happen that way. It’s only been 30 days at home in six months, but it’s for the last time, so it’ll go easier.”

Finally securing a stage victory in the Giro, for Romain Bardet

The program for the final season of Romain Bardet was revealed during the team's press conference Picnic PostNL. It will start on the Algarve Tour on February 19 and then continue Drôme-Ardèche loops. His first confrontation on the World Tour circuit will take place on Paris-Nice, in March. Then it will return to Liège-Bastogne-Liègea race that he particularly likes since he was the runner-up of Tadej Pogacar in 2024. Comes Giro of course, and a grand finale on his favorite race, the Critérium du Dauphiné. Especially since the Tour of Italy is the only grand tour on which he has never raised his arms.

“I want to do a good Giro because it’s the genesis of what pushed me to continue. I managed to come second (in stage) each of the three times I participated. I wish it was on the right side this time. I'm no longer capable of playing general. Already, on the last Tour de France, if I had played it 100%, I could have hoped to do between 8 and 12 at best. declared the French climber.

The 2025 Gravel World Championships as a goal for Romain Bardet

And the Tour de France will pass a few hundred meters from the home of Romain Bardethe will be good on the side of the roads, but as a spectator, around a barbecue with friends. He will fully enjoy his new life, but only for a while. In fact, the native of Brioude wants to start a new discipline, gravel. THE World Championships in line of sight, to slowly leave cycling. “Gravel will also serve as a bit of a landing in emotional terms and especially in terms of endorphins.”