Who will lead the men’s French Olympic squad? Romain Bardet joins Julian Alaphilippe in skipping Tokyo Games
Both riders said they prefer to focus on other goals this season
The men’s French Olympic squad is facing a crisis, as both of their chosen leaders have announced they will not be competing in Tokyo this summer.
Last month, reigning world champion Julian Alaphilippe announced that he would not be racing in the Olympic road race around Mount Fuji on July 24, despite being among the favourites to win gold on a tough climbing course.
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step leader said he has other goals towards the end of the season, while he is also due to become a father this year.
Alaphilippe’s absence is a blow to French coach Thomas Voeckler, who was forced to choose another leader for the prestigious one-day race.
The first choice had been Grand Tour star Romain Bardet, who is racing his first season with Team DSM and finished seventh overall at the 2021 Giro d’Italia.
But the 30-year-old has now confirmed that he will not be racing in Tokyo, as he also wants to focus on goals later in the season.
Bardet told French newspaper L’Equipe: “After a three-way discussion with the team, Thomas, and myself, we decided that I will not participate in the Olympic Games this year.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"We have big goals with DSM that await us at the end of the season and it was not possible to have peak form in Tokyo with this program.”
Bardet had originally based his 2021 season around the Olympics, as the 234km-long, 4,800m elevation game road race suited his characteristics.
He opted make his Giro d’Italia debut this season and skip the Tour de France, owing to the short time frame between the final stage of the Tour and the Olympics.
But Bardet now plans to race the Vuelta a España, where he is likely to lead Team DSM once again.
>>> Annemiek van Vleuten to miss Giro Rosa and La Course to focus on the Olympics
Voeckler’s remaining still has the choice of a handful of star climbers for the men’s Olympic squad including Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic) among others.
The Tokyo Games, already postponed from 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, are still under threat of cancellation as public opposition to hosting the event mounts.
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tom Pidcock to go head-to-head with Remco Evenepoel at upcoming Tour of Britain Men
Pidcock to ride six-day race for Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe confirmed for Tour of Britain Men
Double Olympic champion and Alaphilippe headline Soudal Quick-Step team selection
By Tom Thewlis 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
-
21 things you didn't know about Julian Alaphilippe
From his cyclo-cross beginnings to his favourite film genre
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
The race within a race and Pogačar domination - 5 things we learned from the second week of the Giro d’Italia
Our takeaways from the second week of racing as Tadej Pogačar masterclass continues
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I didn't plan it': Julian Alaphilippe bounces back with epic Giro d'Italia win
Giro stage victory in Fano sees former two time road world champion become 108th man to win stages in all three Grand Tours
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe storms to victory on stage 12 of Giro d'Italia as Pogačar keeps overall lead
Alaphilippe wins enthralling stage in Fano after long day in two-man breakaway with Mirco Maestri
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
5 things we learned from the first week of the 2024 Giro d’Italia
The Italian Grand Tour is firmly underway and Tadej Pogačar is in the pink jersey. Here are our takeaways from the first week of action
By Tom Thewlis Published