A figurehead of the sport and a rider that is beloved by fans worldwide, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL are pleased to reveal that ahead of what will be his last participation at the Tour de France, they have extended their contract with Romain Bardet through 2025.
Hailing from Brioude in France, Romain entered the professional peloton with AG2R La Mondiale in 2012 and has gone on to become one of the most prominent and well-respected riders in the peloton over the years. A leading light and hope for Tour de France glory amongst the French public, Romain’s palmarès speaks for itself with epic second and third places overall at the race in 2016 and 2017. Next to that, he has also taken three stage wins and a famous polka dot jersey.
Romain’s career has also impressed with a silver medal at the World Championships and multiple podiums and places of honour in the biggest stage races in the world. Since joining Team dsm-firmenich PostNL in 2021, he tasted success at the Vuelta a España with a memorable stage win, top tens on GC at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France and a resilient and hard fought second place at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2024. It’s not just his performances on the bike that should be mentioned, in 2022 he was awarded the International Fair Play award for his sportsmanship towards fellow rider Julian Alaphilippe, with Romain stopping to assist after Julian was caught up in a heavy crash at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, taking himself out of contention for a result. To those within the team it’s his professionalism, enthusiasm and a genuine true, authentic kindness to his persona that stand out.
With his glittering record behind him, 2024 will be Romain’s last full road season. In 2025 Team dsm-firmenich PostNL and Romain will have another tilt at the Giro d’Italia, before his last WorldTour level race at the Critérium du Dauphiné; a race on home soil that holds personal significance for the Frenchman.
Hanging up his road wheels, Romain will take on a new adventure in the team’s colours with a discipline that lights the spark for his simple love of all things two-wheeled, gravel racing. Romain will take part in multiple off-road races throughout the second half of the year; enabling him to still find that competitive edge while being able to spend more time with his young family.