Bardet set for Decathlon return in new role guiding Seixas

The Frenchman is set to return to the WorldTour in a management and mentoring role with Decathlon CMA CGM, according to a report from L'Équipe. 

The 35-year-old, who stepped away from professional road racing in June 2025, is expected to take on a role within the team's sporting structure, with a particular focus on supporting the development of Paul Seixas, though the exact nature of Bardet’s position has not been officially confirmed. 

A return to the French team comes at an important moment as Decathlon continues to build around the 19-year-old Seixas, who has enjoyed a rapid and stellar rise in the sport. Seixas is set to make his Tour de France debut in July, becoming the race’s youngest starter since 1937.

Seixas suffered a crash on the penultimate stage of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and stepped off the bike on Sunday’s finale, prompting concern. However, Decathlon CMA CGM later issued a reassuring medical update, indicating that his preparation for July has not been significantly disrupted.

Bardet's experience could prove particularly valuable as Seixas navigates the scrutiny that comes with being regarded as France's next potential Grand Tour contender. Bardet himself faced similar expectations throughout his career and spent much of a decade carrying French hopes at the Tour.

One of the most decorated French riders of his generation, Bardet enjoyed the best years of his career with AG2R La Mondiale, the predecessor of the Decathlon CMA CGM squad. During his time with the team, he scored seven victories, including three Tour de France stage wins between 2015 and 2017.

He also emerged as France's leading Grand Tour contender during that period, finishing second overall at the Tour de France in 2016 and third in 2017, both times behind Chris Froome. In 2019, he added the mountains classification to his palmarès.

Bardet retired from road racing following the 2025 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, then known as the Critérium du Dauphiné. During his final home race, the Frenchman remained true to his attacking style, featuring in breakaways as he chased one last professional victory.

His final victory on the road came a year earlier at the 2024 Tour de France, when he and Frank van den Broek stunned the peloton on the opening stage in Rimini. Bardet claimed both the stage win and the yellow jersey. It marked the first yellow jersey for Bardet in what would ultimately be his final Tour appearance. 

Since stepping away from road racing, Bardet has enjoyed plenty of success in gravel races. The 35-year-old has won four rounds of the UCI Gravel World Series across 2025 and 2026 and, according to L'Équipe, still has gravel commitments to fulfil, meaning it remains unclear when he will formally begin his new role with the team.

L'Équipe also reported that Bardet was recently approached about a role connected to his home race, the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, but declined the opportunity.

Meanwhile, there was also speculation which had linked him to a future succession plan for current team general manager Dominique Serieys, though sources cited by the French newspaper have dismissed that possibility.