French Olympic biathlon champion Émilien Jacquelin is set to make his professional road cycling debut. As announced by Team Decathlon-CMA CGM, the 31-year-old will make his debut at the Polynormande road race on 16 August. Jacquelin will also compete for the team in his home country at the Tour du Limousin (18–21 August). He is “ready to take the next step in his development”, according to the team led by France’s great young hope, Paul Seixas.
Five-time biathlon world champion Jacquelin has actually been trying his hand with the Decathlon-CMA CGM junior team since the start of May. He has a six-month work placement contract, Jacquelin told *L’Equipe*. Although he broke his collarbone in a fall at the start of May and had to undergo surgery, he is now ready for his first proper competition following a gruelling training programme. “These two selections are an important milestone on my journey. My aim is to give my all for the team,” Jacquelin said in a statement.
The switch back must take place soon
This attempt was not originally intended to mark the end of his winter sports career. Rather, Jacquelin had said he wanted to use the post-Olympic season and its build-up to “broaden my horizons and step outside my comfort zone”. The fifth-placed finisher in the overall World Cup standings last season wanted to try something different before entering a new Olympic cycle, it was reported.
The 2030 Winter Olympics in France are his main goal, Jacquelin said when he switched to a different sport. At the Winter Games in Antholz, Italy, in February, the impulsive, quick-shooting athlete won gold in the relay and bronze in the pursuit.
If he wants to compete with France’s biathletes again this coming winter, he must be back with the team by the end of August or early September at the latest. “If it ends up being a bit later, we’ll have to see how we can organise his return to biathlon,” national coach Simon Fourcade told *L’Equipe*. But missing the entire biathlon season is also a possibility if he does not return in time, according to Fourcade.
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