Romain Bardet sets sights on "crazy, magical" Tour de France route

Romain Bardet has, since joining Team DSM, had less focus on the Tour de France, and frequently thriving in the Giro d'Italia. 2023 may be a different year however judging by the Frenchman's words, and a very positive feedback from the route reveal.

“It’s a super exciting course," Bardet told L'Équipe. "I’m really surprised by the ingenuity of ASO and how they manage to think outside the box. It’s an unprecedented look, I’ve never seen it, so little time trialing and such a difficult start." The route is, in fact, suited to the climbers, with only a mere 22 mountainous ITT kilometers, and as much as eight mountain stages spread throughout the race.

“The Pyrenees right away, the Puy de Dôme at the end of the first week… it’s the most difficult first week of a grand tour that has ever existed. The hierarchy will already be clear after nine stages," he continued. Bardet has raced the Tour this year after abandoning the Giro, riding to a sixth place after a strong and consistent performance.

Born and raised in Brioude, in the Massif Central, Bardet is a special fan of the return of the Puy de Dôme. The climb is set to host the finale of the last day of the opening week, stage 9, and will be important for the overall classification. “It’s my heart’s pass, ‘the lighthouse’ as we call it back home," he said of the inactive volcanic peak. 

"Since the introduction of the railway, the road is completely closed: it has become a narrow service road that does not allow bikes and cars to pass. The ban is unconditional. Access is only open one morning a year, from 7am to 9am, and a TT (the Trophée des Grimpeurs) took place there last September, I was there with my father,” Bardet explained.

Hence, after months of rumours, it has officially been confirmed that the ascent will feature in the 2023 Tour de France, 35 years since it's last appearance. “It’s going to be crazy, magical. To be honest, I’m having a little trouble realizing it. I never thought I could experience that in my career," he concluded.