Romain Bardet: 'There's big expectations… but the Vuelta podium isn't a priority'
Frenchman Romain Bardet says he's focused on learning from two Grand Tours in one year and stage wins than an overall podium at the Vuelta
Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) has weight on his shoulders after placing third in the Tour de France, but says that a Vuelta a España stage win, not a podium finish, is his priority.
The Frenchman won the Peyragudes summit finish on stage 12 at the 2017 Tour and placed third, 2-20 minutes behind winner Chris Froome (Sky) in the overall. Afterwards, he returned to Vuelta, his debut and first time to race two Grand Tours in one season.
Some questions surfaced when he slipped behind by 49 seconds on the short and punchy stage five finish to Santa Lucía in Alcossebre on Wednesday. He now sits 12th overall at 1-37, again behind leader Froome, with over two weeks to race.
"For sure I have big expectations but I want to see how my form goes over three weeks," Bardet told Cycling Weekly.
"But for sure, if I can make the podium, I will go for it, but it's not the main priority. When I go to the Tour, it's all for the overall. But since this is the first time, it's hard to say that I'll be as good as I was in the Tour for the three weeks here in Spain.
"I just want to do my job and do things well, and see if I can do it. For me the main thing is to just enjoy it here and go for a stage win."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
In of the last three editions, Bardet has ridden to a stage win in the Tour de France while improving in the overall classification.
There is every reason to believe he can succeed in Spain, especially given it features many mountain days and nine summit finishes.
The Vuelta a España also plays a part in Bardet's development. One, he will want to see how his body responds to two three-week races in one season and two, the Spanish tour could pave the way to 2018 success.
"It's a good time for me to learn. In fact I am just taking it easy in the Vuelta and going stage-by-stage to see what happens. I hope to try to win a stage. I need to get this experience and see what to do in the future," he added.
"I'm 26 and it's a good time to do it. I really enjoy the situation and the Vuelta. For sure I'm tired after the Tour and making the podium at the Tour, but I hope to be there fighting in the Vuelta's mountain stages."
The Vuelta also features a 40.2-kilometre time trial. The discipline is Bardet's weak point, which he showed when he nearly lost his third place in the Tour's Marseille time trial, stage 20, by one second to Mikel Landa (Sky).
"Yes, but that's not the only point that I need to improve on because maybe I can be the strongest rider in the mountains, and that's what I like in cycling," he said.
"The Tour was not too mountainous this year and I hope that have a route that is more mountainous in the future."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Rider says safety concerns were 'ignored' in women's Tre Valli Varesine race, men's event cancelled due to heavy rain
Only 35 riders finished women's event
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Integrated cockpits on gravel bikes: is it fashion over function, or an upgrade worth considering?
Are the pros really worth the mechanical cons? Here's what to know before going all in(tegrated)
By Logan Jones-Wilkins Published
-
Romain Bardet celebrates 'pure cycling' masterclass after claiming first Tour de France yellow jersey
British teammate Oscar Onley says dsm–firmenich PostNL display was 'pure racing instinct'
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
All the team kits for 2024: Lifeplus-Wahoo team up with MAAP on new green kit
Keep up to date with the jerseys to watch out for next season in our complete guide
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Is this the cheapest WorldTour bike? AG2R to ride Decathlon's Van Rysels in 2024
No more brown bib shorts for the French team either, as they become Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
By Adam Becket Published
-
'It's not worth risking his long term health': DSM-Firmenich withdraw concussed Romain Bardet from Tour de France
DSM-Firmenich enact their concussion protocol to withdraw the Frenchman from the race
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
‘You never know in the Tour’ - Romain Bardet fearless as he lines up Tour de France GC bid
The 32-year-old is ready to play the tactical game this July
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Two AG2R Citroën riders latest to test positive for Covid at the Vuelta a España
Jaakko Hänninen and Andrea Vendrame the third and fourth to depart Spain due to virus
By Adam Becket Published
-
'GC is not the goal' — Romain Bardet and DSM will hunt stage wins at the Tour de France
Frenchman returns to home Grand Tour for the first time since 2020 next month
By Adam Becket Published
-
Romain Bardet is heading back to the Tour de France for the first time since 2020
Frenchman will return to his home Grand Tour with Team DSM after leaving the Giro d'Italia early due to illness
By Adam Becket Published