17/02/2023

"Seeing cyclists reach 38 years will be increasingly rare" - Romain Bardet

As new generations show extremely high levels from earlier and earlier in their career, ultimately it hampers the chances of veteran riders. This seems to be a quickly-developing trend within pro cycling, and Romain Bardet is not optimistic that this will change anytime soon.

“It is clear that a rejuvenation is brewing in the peloton. There are more and more people pushing from behind. Seeing cyclists reach 38 years will be increasingly rare," Bardet said in a pre-race conference at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes. As some of the past generations' best riders such as Phillipe Gilbert, Alejandro Valverde and Vincenzo Nibali hung the wheels this past season, many more have followed and will do so this season aswell - such as Rohan Dennis and Thibaut Pinot who have already shared the decision.

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His compatriot Pinot is part of the same generation, and Bardet commented on his fellow climber: “He has had a great and rich career and it is amazing that a 32-33 year old would want to retire. But I think this will become the norm and it will be the normal life cycle of a professional cyclist."

Despite being 32 years old himself, Bardet has not considered hanging up the wheels. His move to Team DSM has seen his motivation and career leave a lull, but the Frenchman says himself that he has "more years of career behind than ahead." Bardet has made his season debut at the ongoing Tour des Alpes Maritimes where he is one of the favourites for the overall classification.