Romain Bardet left needing emergency assistance after Mont Ventoux crash ends family ride in dramatic circumstances
CyclingSaturday, 08 August 2026 at 14:30
Romain Bardet faces several weeks of recovery after a family ride on Mont Ventoux ended with a crash on the descent and assistance from the emergency services.
The former Tour de France podium finisher revealed the incident on Instagram, sharing a photo from the aftermath after what had begun as a memorable day riding one of cycling's most famous climbs with his family.
“Ventoux, the climb with the family was memorable, the descent on the gravel less glorious,” Bardet wrote. “A huge thank you to the emergency services. Now it’s time for a few weeks of recovery. Always be careful on the roads as well as on the trails. See you soon.”
Bardet did not disclose the exact nature of his injuries, although his update makes clear that the consequences will require more than a brief spell of rest.
Cycling world sends support to Bardet
Messages quickly arrived from several familiar faces within professional cycling. Former British professional and TNT Sports/Eurosport expert Matt Stephens wrote: “Oh no! Recover fast Romain! Sending healing vibes x.”
Former French national champion Arnaud Demare was similarly concerned, responding: “Damn Romain, get well soon, stay strong!”
Eurosport reporter Anders Mielke added “Speedy recovery mate”, while Tudor Pro Cycling Team also wished the Frenchman a quick recovery.
Crash interrupts Bardet's new life on gravel
Bardet officially brought his professional road career to an end at the Criterium du Dauphine in June 2025, but the 35-year-old has remained very much active on the bike.
Gravel racing has become a major focus during 2026. Bardet finished fifth at The Traka 360 earlier this year after tackling more than 300 kilometres around Girona, while his partnership with Michelin has also placed him at the centre of the manufacturer's developing gravel programme.
His move onto different terrain followed a road career that established Bardet as one of France's outstanding riders of his generation. He finished second at the 2016 Tour de France and third a year later, collected four Tour stage victories and finally wore the yellow jersey in 2024 after winning the opening stage of his final appearance at the race.
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
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