Warren Barguil

Turning professional with the team in 2013, Warren rode in the distinctive two-striped jersey until the end of 2017 and after some time plying his trade with his local Bretagne-based team Arkéa-Samsic, he “returns to where it started” for the 2024 campaign.

Warren’s dad was a former amateur rider who competed on the French racing scene but he stopped competitive cycling when Warren’s older sister was born. Yet, he kept up his training which influenced a young Warren, who originally found his love for two-wheels with a BMX bike, and after pestering his dad several times the duo went out for road rides together. Things developed from there and despite trying his hand at one unsuccessful football training session and a year of judo, cycling was always Warren’s main sport.

“The freedom of cycling is nice. I like to be able to go out and explore an area on the bike, and I have even got to discover more parts of my home region. I’m often the guy in our training group who makes the loop, so I know exactly where the climbs are.”

A family man, Warren’s nearest and dearest are always close to his heart and alongside being a competitive person who’s motivated to be the best he can, one of his other motivations are his family – who inspire him every day. In fact, Warren jokes that his oldest child, who is four, already keeps saying “papa you need to win” – so that makes him hit those local climbs extra hard.

Reflecting on his career so far, Warren has a few highlight moments with his first pro win that he took with the team in the 2013 Vuelta a España naturally a stand-out.

“I think I was one of the first French riders to turn pro not through a French team so that was a bit of a challenge, but I was happy here and it was great to take such a big win so early in my career. It was special.”

His Tour de France win in 2017 into Foix with the team springs to mind too as his wife was there at the finish and in general it was another “magical” race for Warren who went on to win a second stage and the KOM jersey overall. Plus, as a proud Frenchman, his 2019 national title ranks highly on his list too!

Describing himself as “funny”, which he quickly reiterates that he “hopes other people think so too”, as a “hard-worker” and a “character”; the seemingly ever-smiling Warren brings a committed approach to his racing and training but also finds a balance to life as well.

“Doing things with a smile and being happy then makes your whole life easier.”

Looking ahead to the coming years, Warren still has his sights firmly set on getting the most out of his abilities and showing to not only himself but also others that he “can compete at the highest level” of the sport still. Taking inspiration from one of his sporting idols and compatriot, rally car legend Sébastien Loeb, who he admires for both his “passion and patience” that he has for his sport, Warren wants to continue to put that into practice and also share his experience with the younger guys in the team.

When he’s not riding his bike, Warren is a man of simple pleasures and he enjoys spending time with his family. Whenever he’s not at a race, then a large portion of his extended family have the tradition of gathering every Sunday at his parents house for a coffee and a catch-up. If not, you might also be able to spot him off the coast in a boat, trying his best at some ocean fishing.