A wide-eyed Warren Barguil rolled down the start ramp in Utrecht for his first ever Tour de France participation in 2015, and now in 2025 he’s well into the way of his 11th participation in a row at the race: equally wide-eyed and excited to be lining up on French roads.
It’s an extra special edition of the race for Warren, because as a proud Breton the race returns to his region once again, with the finish on Stage 7 to Mûr de Bretagne roughly one hour from his birth town of Hennebont.
We sat down with Warren on the eve of the Tour de France to pick his brain about how racing has changed over the years, what it’s like as the “dad” of the group, how special it is to race on home roads, and why 14th of July means a lot to French people.
The Magic of the Tour
The hordes of fans lining the side of the street, swathes of yellow, polka dots and green as the riders flash by, the incredible furore and cheers at the bus each morning – there is something special about the Tour de France.
“It’s special because of course it’s a home race and the crowds are incredible”, explains Barguil. “But as you start to get older you also understand the luck and privilege you have, to be part of this crazy-big-circus for three weeks.”
Reflecting on his earlier races and how things have developed over the years he continues: “Things have changed quite a bit since 2015. It’s faster now and we race hard each day.”
Laughing as he says it, Warren also admits “I don’t have so many friends from back when I started left in the peloton now; we’re all getting older and soon will be on our pensions. Of course, Romain isn’t here anymore and some other guys from other teams that I’m friends with have stopped. I’m the oldest guy on our Tour team and soon I will be one of the oldest in the bunch.”
Still with a glimmer in his eye and a smile on the corner of his mouth, Barguil concludes “that’s why I understand how special it is to race here, you can’t take it for granted.”


