Romain Bardet admits demotivation after competing against Tadej Pogacar: "Otherwise I won't be cycling for long"

The emergence of new climbing talents is no news in the peloton, but as the level becomes higher and higher some veterans start to doubt themselves. Romain Bardet admits to be demotivated at the prospect of having to race against Tadej Pogacar.

"I'm not even disappointed, because I'm in my place. I have to undergo the competition and that is difficult," the Team DSM rider said following Paris-Nice. Tadej Pogacar took a dominant win, and the Frenchman has commented on how he feels about it: "If he accelerates, I just can't keep up. I hope there is still room for improvement, because otherwise I won't be cycling for long if I have to take such blow”

Bardet has had the peak of his career in 2016 and 2017 where he finished twice on the podium of the Tour de France. He's since been reborn upon signing with Team DSM after some difficult years, but despite finding his best level again, his results were more modest. He's found a consistent level, but could not finish higher than sixth at the Tour.

More importantly, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard were a whole level above the rest of the field. This season Pogacar has shown the same legs, evaporating the competition in every race he's been so far. Bardet has finished Paris-Nice in 7th place as he looks to build on a Tour de France that will have important stages close to home. "It's been a good week. Of course we expect a little more result, but we can be proud of how we rode in this first tough stage race," he concluded.