"He's a man with heart and a great champion" - Christian Prudhomme full of praise for retiring Romain Bardet

After the 2025 Criterium du Dauphine, Romain Bardet will hang up his cycling shoes for the final time, bringing an end to a very successful career. Speaking at the race presentation on Wednesday, race director and Christian Prudhomme made sure to pay a special tribute to Bardet.

"It's rare for a cycling champion to stop in the middle of the season," began Prudhomme in quotes collected by Cyclism'Actu. "But he wants to finish his road career in the Dauphiné, which will pass through Brioude, where he was born, and in its mountains, where he hopes to shine. It's a great sign for a champion like him to want to start in this race. It means that it's a very good race."

Speaking warmly of more than just Bardet the rider though, Prudhomme also gave a glowing tribute to Bardet the person. "He's a man with heart and a great champion," says the ASO boss. "He's someone who thinks of others in a certain way and who knows where his roots are. I'm sure he'll do everything to win a stage. Who would have imagined that he would win the first stage of the 2024 Tour de France? I really wish him the best."

Read also

"Purely to destabilize Wout and his team" - After €662,000 payment from Van Aert, his former team now wants compensation from Team Visma | Lease a Bike

Dutch experts believe Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe were merely "laying foundation for the arrival of Remco Evenepoel" with their transfers this winter

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate cycling experience—subscribe today for access to the latest cycling news

Subscribe