"I’ve reached the end, and I’m at peace" - Romain Bardet begins final ever pro bike race at 2025 Criterium du Dauphine

For the final time in his illustrious career, Romain Bardet is beginning a professional bike race this afternoon as the 2025 Criterium du Dauphine gets underway in Domérat. One of the darling's of modern French cycling, it's no coincidence that Bardet's final bow takes place in front of his compatriots.

Despite the emotion that comes with the end of a career, especially for a much-loved rider like Bardet, for the Frenchman himself, the primary feeling is one of happiness rather than sadness. “I feel great, really calm,” explains the 34-year-old Team Picnic PostNL star in pre-race comments to L'Equipe. “I’ve had plenty of time to think about it, and it’s sad to say, but I’m not feeling any overwhelming emotion. Because I genuinely believe I’ve reached the end, and I’m at peace with both what’s coming and what’s already been.”

"I can’t keep living with that same level of discipline, all those sacrifices, just for the chance to maybe pull off two or three big performances in a season,” Bardet continues. “The times when you go away for three weeks up a volcano, come back for a week-long race, then six days later you’re off to a Grand Tour — they’re tough. Because while part of me — the athlete — was fulfilled, another part — the father — was losing something.”

Speaking of his family however, Bardet's son won't be present at the startline in Domérat to wave off his father's final race. “He’s got skateboarding class and he prefers skating," Bardet laughs. "That’s fine — I’m actually really happy about it, because it’s exactly what I want.”

Bardet is still hopeful he can go out with a bang though. "Honestly, I want to race. I’ve barely trained this week, and the turnaround after the Giro is a first for me, but I think I can still have one or two good days on the bike — maybe even one or two great ones," he concludes. "I hope so.”

And whilst Bardet himself seems to have seperated the emotion of the occasion from the task at hand, his sports director isn't quite so cold. "For the first time, I can feel it — it’s really happening,” admits Christian Guiberteau, miming a rising lump in his throat. “We tried not to think about it — you get caught up in the rhythm, the racing. But I have to say there’s a real sense of emotion. It’s an honour to be here, to be by Romain’s side. And at the same time — why does it have to end?”