Bardet arms himself against super teams with Onley and Poole: "They truly embody the DNA of our team"

He is 33 years old and entering his fourth year with the Dutch team dsm-firmenich PostNL. Romain Bardet, who has been making waves in cycling since 2012, remains one of the biggest enthusiasts in the peloton. He couldn't answer whether 2024 will be his last year, but had plenty to say in response to all other questions. IDLProCycling.com had an extensive talk with him in Calpe.

While half of the current dsm-firmenich PostNL team was still enjoying a six-week-long high school holiday, Bardet was already stepping onto the podium of the Tour de France. This highlights the position of the amiable Frenchman in Iwan Spekenbrink's team, as Rudi Kemna once said: "Romain doesn't spend his days in the peloton shouting directions, but when he speaks, everyone's ears perk up."

This coming season, the stage racer aims for a combination of the Giro and Tour, in what could possibly be his last year as a pro rider. He hasn't made a final decision yet, but it wouldn't change his approach to the upcoming season: Bardet is someone who always gives his all. He even surprised neo-pro Frank van den Broek during the first training camp. "I really noticed how hard he is on himself in training. He really makes himself suffer."

For Bardet himself, it doesn't feel like a sacrifice. It is what he knows. Since turning pro in 2012, cycling has evolved incredibly fast. He competed against riders like Alberto Contador, but was also a significant challenger to the Sky stronghold. And then there were the multi-talents of recent seasons like Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel, for whom he has great respect and from whom he also receives respect. In the grand tours, he will face them again in 2024.

So, the Giro and Tour. Tell us, how did you come to that decision?

"To be honest, it's simply the best program I could hope for. It's something I should have done much more throughout my career. In 2022, it was a successful combo in a certain way, so I was fully focused on trying it again. Everyone says it's difficult to approach both tours in the right way and we've often seen it go wrong, but for me, it's physically the best combination I can make."

Are you seeking a kind of revenge in the Giro after becoming ill in 2022 while in a great position?

"I wouldn't call it that. I've ridden the Giro d’Italia twice so far and haven't come home with a great result yet, so that's something I definitely want to achieve. Hopefully, we can accomplish that this season."

What can you tell us about your preparation for the Giro?

"It's going to be pretty much the same as in 2022 (UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and Tour of the Alps were the big ones for him then, ed.), with the difference that we'll have a lot more time trial kilometers in the upcoming Giro and there aren't really many tough mountain stages. It's probably one of the easiest Giro editions of recent years."

I sense a slight disappointment in your voice. Should we expect to see you aim for the general classification in the Giro, or mainly stage wins?

"I'm definitely not going to just give up on the classification, but I would also like to aim for stage wins. I won't sacrifice the general classification for that, but at the same time, I don't want to ride too conservatively because I'm also chasing a classification result. If you ask me now if I'm willing to take risks for a stage win, then I say yes."

Besides yourself, fellow leaders Fabio Jakobsen and Tadej Pogacar are also doing the double. What do you expect from that combination, also looking at the others?

"It's hard to say. I simply cannot compare myself to Pogacar, but looking at my physical condition, it's possible to also start the Tour in good shape. Many riders have managed to perform well in the Vuelta after the Tour, and that's the same time span. If you manage your preparation well, I think it's possible. When the fatigue from a Giro like that wears off, you really feel that you have good legs after a grand tour. So, I think it can be done, definitely."

You managed to get to the podium twice in the years when Sky dominated the Tour de France. Can you compare Sky and Visma?

"During the Sky era, I felt that we were dealing with a super team for the first time, but now with Visma and also UAE-Team Emirates, you have multiple riders who can podium. The dominance has increased because they can bet on multiple horses. Sky picked a single rider and made sure the team was built around that rider."

And the hunt for talent is also increasing due to these developments. You now have ridden the Vuelta with top talent Max Poole and will also race the upcoming Giro with him, but should a team like dsm-firmenich PostNL be afraid of losing talents like him to one of the big teams we just talked about?

"I don't think they should be afraid because there is a real culture in this team. Max and Oscar Onley come from the development team and for me, they truly embody the DNA of our team. They are developing incredibly well, and I also feel that they feel at home in the team. And the team is also working hard to be able to play multiple pieces in the long term, as you see with the other teams."

In that context, how important is it that you now ride big races with Max first? For him, but also for you?

"That's what it's all about. I didn't have the opportunity that they are getting now back when I was young. When I was put in the peloton as a team leader back then, I had to find my own way. Max and Oscar have more potential than I did, but they now have the opportunity to develop themselves in my shadow. That can help them a lot, and I really have to compliment the team for that. First to make sure the basics are right, and then their time will come at some point."

What impact can you, but also Warren Barguil, have on those guys?

"Warren has the racing instinct which I may also have. The power you can generate and the potential someone has, that is one thing. But on the other hand, you have to be able to turn that into something beautiful in certain race situations, which is a different story. That's instinct, something you can't express directly in numbers."