The whirring of wheels and the thud of a closing bike case greeted Emilien Jacquelin at a training base in France. After years of cold, foggy starts and biathlon rifle drills, the 31-year-old is now chasing gears, not bullets. He's trading snow for tarmac, and the biathlon scene for road racing. The event in Normandy was confirmed by race organizer Daniel Mangeas, who said Jacquelin's inclusion was a major coup.
From biathlon to bike lane
Since the end of last winter, Jacquelin has been training with the Decathlon-CMA CGM team. He described the move as a kind of practicum, but left the door open on returning to biathlon. 'Man knows nothing,' he said in July. In May, he even broke his collarbone in a fall and had to undergo surgery but has now recovered through intense training. He will make his professional debut in the road race Polynormande on August 16, and will also participate in the Tour du Limousin from August 18 to 21. The team said he is ready to take the next step in his development.
A new chapter, a new challenge
The shift is bold — but not without precedent. Jacquelin has competed in several amateur races since switching, and his physical conditioning makes him a standout even in new environments. Last year, he finished fifth in the biathlon World Cup and was a key part of the French team that won Olympic relay gold. The five-time biathlon world champion said the two nominations are an important milestone in his journey, adding, 'My goal is to give everything for the team.'
Race organizer Daniel Mangeas said the addition of a high-profile name like Jacquelin is a big boost for the event. 'He’ll attract both cycling fans and general sports fans alike,' he said. Jacquelin, however, sees this transition as temporary, aiming to expand his horizons and challenge himself before starting a new Olympic cycle. To return to training with France's ski team in the upcoming winter, Jacquelin must return by late August or, at the latest, early September. If he fails to do so, national coach Simon Fourcade said the team will need to consider how to reintegrate him into biathlon. Missing the entire biathlon season is also a possibility, should he not return in time.