Romain Sicard forced to end career due to heart problem

The Frenchman's condition has been monitored for three years but was finally told to stop racing in February this year

Romain Sicard (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images,)

French pro Romain Sicard has been forced to retire early at the age of 33 due to a heart problem.

The Total Direct Energie rider says his condition has been monitored more closely than is normal over the past three seasons, and that in February this year he was told to stop racing due to the issue with his heart.

"Around February 1, I was told that I could not resume at the start of the season. At that time, I was still in the dark. I wasn't sure what to expect," Sicard said. "These last two months were very long. The worst part is when you are in the dark and you don't have a concrete answer. Last Tuesday I didn't receive great news. At least I'm fixed now."

Sicard has raced professionally since 2010, riding for Euskaltel-Euskadi for four seasons before moving to Europcar, Total Direct Energie then taking over as sponsors of the French team.

>>> ‘I’m here to re-learn how to trust my colleagues’: Fabio Jakobsen ready for racing return

The Frenchman won both the U23 World Championships Road Race and the Tour de l'Avenir in 2009, taking one victory during his professional career at Subida Naranco, also in 2009, for Continental outfit Orbea - Oreka SDA.

"Today, [it's proof that] the health monitoring of our riders is working," Total Direct Energie boss Jean-René Bernaudeau added. "The exams are even more extensive than before. This allows them to have guarantees on the practice of their sport. The FFC's medical check-up revealed a cardiac pathology in Romain that was incompatible with the pursuit of his activity as a professional cyclist.

"I heard the news when I was driving my car. It was hard to take. I was waiting for the good news and unfortunately it did not arrive, quite the contrary. When he told me it wasn't good, I was a bit shocked. Romain is a super honest and reliable guy who represents the spirit of the Basque Country. He is a very important rider who brought serenity. He was entirely part of our system for the next Tour. Now it is health first and foremost. I told him about [his] real life that is [now] beginning…"

Sicard rode 13 Grand Tours between 2012 and 2020, his highest finish being 13th at the 2014 Vuelta a España.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.


Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).


I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.