'If I wanted to chase results, I would have stayed on the road' – Romain Bardet debuts at Unbound Gravel 200 and finds surge in off-road popularity 'a bit strange'

Four-time Tour de France stage winner Romain Bardet has embraced gravel racing in his first full season away from the WorldTour peloton, adding the prestigious Unbound Gravel 200 in Kansas to his calendar. Although he has already claimed four victories from six gravel events this year, Bardet insists he is not chasing results but rather enjoying the sport as a retired professional. His gravel pursuits coincide with a month-long family road trip across eight US states, blending racing with quality time alongside his wife and young son. Bardet competes as a privateer within the Factor Bikes Racing collective, which operates more as a group of independent riders than a traditional team. He values the freedom this brings and highlights the camaraderie he shares with fellow riders like Cam Jones, the reigning Unbound Gravel champion. Despite his success, Bardet remains focused on fun and fitness rather than podium finishes, contrasting the intense competitive atmosphere of his former road racing career. Reflecting on gravel’s rapid growth and increasing professionalism, Bardet expresses mixed feelings about the sport’s evolving nature. He appreciates gravel’s inclusive community spirit, where amateurs and professionals often race side by side, but finds it "a bit strange" that some aspects of road racing—such as team tactics and equipment wars—are creeping into gravel events. He also raises concerns about safety and the challenge of mixing high-level competition with open-road conditions, highlighting the sport’s uncertain trajectory over the next few years. Ahead of his debut at Unbound Gravel, Bardet remains curious about the event’s immense popularity and is keen to experience the race firsthand without the pressure to perform. His relaxed approach underscores a broader shift in his cycling priorities, where enjoyment and shared experiences now take precedence over chasing victories. As gravel racing continues to gain prominence, Bardet’s perspective offers a thoughtful reflection on the balance between competition and community in this burgeoning discipline.