Published on : 05/06/2026
Arthur Bauchet is a happy man. After the Winter Paralympics, where he won two gold medals, the Var native has got back on his bike and donned his Cofidis jersey once more. Following his training sessions, he shone right from the start of his return this weekend, performing well enough to secure his place at the World Championships this coming September. He spoke to us at length.
Have you fully recovered from all the emotions you experienced during the Paralympic Games?
We certainly went through some absolutely crazy emotions. I’ve had highs, lows, very high highs, very low lows… After the competition, I celebrated the Games for a day and then immediately switched back to cycling! It helped take the pressure off (laughs).
Was getting back into cycling difficult?
Y
es, the transition was short and intense. It wasn’t easy, especially as I severed a ligament in my thumb during the Games and had to have an operation when I got back to France. That made my return a bit tricky, so at the start I focused on the indoor trainer.
What are your main goals for the season?
The number one goal was to qualify for the World Championships taking place in September. And I’ve already achieved that thanks to my victory in the time trial in Ostend. I’m really, really happy to be able to take part. Now, I hope to achieve the best possible results in the World Cup rounds.
You know what it’s like to win at skiing, but in cycling – given that it’s new to you – is there an extra dimension to it?
Yes, absolutely. I feel like I’ve gone back ten years. It reminds me of how I felt during my first skiing competitions. Of course, even though all victories are wonderful, they lose some of their flavour over the years. But winning on a bike like this is truly incredible!
How would you describe yourself as a rider?
I think I’m more of a sprinter… But I need to be able to hold on until the end of the races to really be one (laughs)! Our road races are quite short (70 km), so it’s easier to hang on. That said, I also enjoy time trials, which are the discipline that most closely resembles what I do in skiing.
You’re about to start your third season with Cofidis. How do you feel within the team?
I did two seasons before without Cofidis’s support and it’s a world of difference. What the team brings is incredible in terms of structure, support and logistics. The kit is brilliant too: we’ve been given the new Look bike with the 13-speed groupset and it’s absolutely brilliant! What’s great is that we only have to worry about one thing: performing well. And that motivates us even more to give it our all!