French biathlon star Émilien Jacquelin will skip the entire 2026–2027 season to pursue a professional career in competitive cycling, according to announcements made by the French Ski Federation. The 31-year-old Olympic medalist, who won gold in the men’s relay and bronze in the pursuit at the Milan-Cortina Games, made his competitive cycling debut earlier this summer within the development squad of Decathlon CMA CGM.
A Shock Departure from the World Cup Circuit
Fans will not see Jacquelin on the tracks of the Biathlon World Cup or at the world championships during the 2026–2027 winter campaign. The French Ski Federation confirmed the decision via social media, ending months of speculation regarding the athlete’s winter preparation.
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“The objective remains the 2030 Olympics,” Jacquelin stated regarding his long-term athletic goals. “Today, the path I’m taking is different, special, but I feel it is in accord with what I want to do. I really want to push the sliders to the maximum in cycling to see how far I can continue in this environment.”
Promising Results on Two Wheels
Jacquelin’s pivot to cycling is underpinned by competitive performances during his summer trial period. Most notably, he turned heads at the Tour du Limousin, where he rode as a model teammate and remained inside the group of race favorites until just two kilometers before the finish line of the queen stage. Observers noted that his athletic engine translated remarkably well from cross-country skiing and biathlon endurance training to the road.
However, the physical demands and scheduling requirements of professional cycling are fundamentally incompatible with the grind of elite biathlon, where the World Cup calendar runs strictly from November through March.
The Hunt for a Pro Contract and Impact on Les Bleus
At 31 years old, Jacquelin is actively searching for a professional contract and a dedicated structure within the cycling peloton. Multiple teams have reportedly expressed interest in the French champion, viewing his athletic ceiling as a legitimate sporting asset rather than a publicity stunt.
Meanwhile, the French men’s biathlon team must reorganize without one of its most reliable relay anchors. Jacquelin acknowledged his absence from the team’s immediate future while leaving the door open for a return to snow ahead of the 2030 Winter Games. “I continue to follow the results of the colleagues and I hope to be at Le Grand-Bornand on the other side of the track to support the team,” he said.
Next Steps for French Biathlon
The French Ski Federation will finalize its World Cup selections for the upcoming winter schedule in the coming weeks, while Jacquelin continues his negotiations with prospective professional cycling teams ahead of the 2027 road season.
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