A decorated biathlon champion is set to take on a new challenge, stepping into the world of professional road cycling.

Despite continuing his winter sports career and aiming for future Olympic success, the athlete is eager to explore a long-held passion and compete at the highest level in a completely different discipline.

French biathlon star Émilien Jacquelin, who has won Olympic gold and five World Championship titles during his career, will also be seen this year in another demanding sport. The French road cycling team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team announced on Sunday that Jacquelin will join the team starting in early May.

However, he does not appear to be giving up biathlon for now.

“This project has been on my mind for a while. Although the 2030 Winter Olympics in France are my goal, I now feel the desire to explore something completely new and compete at the highest level in cycling,” said the 30-year-old Jacquelin, who will begin in the team’s development squad.

“I have always cycled, but from now on, every day is a new challenge. I want to live up to the team’s trust and make this childhood dream come true.”

Biathlon star Jacquelin celebrated a relay gold medal with France at the Milan–Cortina Olympics in February. At the World Championships, he has won two individual titles and three relay gold medals between 2020 and 2025.

Also Read: What’s next for Jean-Marc Chabloz

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Text: STT Sports/Teemu Virtanen