Olympic Biathlon Champion Jacquelin Shifts Gears to Professional Cycling

Emilien Jacquelin Launches a New Career in Professional Cycling

According to Главком: French biathlete Emilien Jacquelin has announced a major career move, signing a contract to join the professional cycling team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. This bold step marks a new chapter as he intends to balance his commitments in biathlon with the fresh challenges of elite road cycling. His ultimate goal remains competing for France at the 2030 Winter Olympics, which will be hosted on home soil.

The 30-year-old Jacquelin is a decorated athlete, having won an Olympic gold medal in the relay event in 2026 and securing five World Championship titles-two in individual events and three in relays. His trainee contract with the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale cycling squad is set for a six-month term, commencing at the start of May 2026. Such a dual-sport pursuit at the highest level is exceptionally rare in modern athletics.

This project has been on my mind for a long time. While my target is still the 2030 Winter Olympics in France, I now feel a strong desire to try something completely new and compete at the top level in cycling. I want to push beyond my comfort zone. - Emilien Jacquelin

Future Ambitions in Two Sports

Jacquelin plans to actively develop his career in both sports simultaneously, aiming for success in biathlon and on the bike. His impressive ambitions have generated significant excitement among his fans, who are eager to follow his upcoming achievements.

This transition could prove a pivotal moment in his athletic journey as he attempts to excel in two demanding disciplines. It also reflects a growing trend among elite athletes seeking to expand their horizons and take on new challenges. Observers will be keen to see how managing the training for both sports impacts his preparation for the 2030 Olympics and his overall career trajectory.

As Jacquelin embarks on this ambitious journey, it's worth noting that the world of biathlon is not without its own challenges. Recently, another French biathlete expressed concerns about team dynamics while contemplating a shift to cycling. This highlights the pressures athletes face in their respective sports. To learn more about the ongoing discussions within the French biathlon team, click here.