Emilien Jacquelin, a biathlete, took part in the 2026 Trois Vallées Varesines, an Italian semi-classic cycling race won by Belgian Jarno Widar from the Lotto Intermarché team. The race began in Busto Arsizio, Italy, and Jacquelin, a fan of the late cyclist Marco Pantani, spoke to local media Biathlon Azzurro about his joy of racing in Italy. He described competing there as "something incredible, a childhood dream." Jacquelin, who had earned two Olympic medals in biathlon, said he was now competing alongside top names in cycling. He reflected on his decision to switch sports, explaining that as an athlete, he could change disciplines and had put all his effort into this new challenge. He also mentioned his plans to attend the 2027 biathlon world championships in Otepää, Estonia, in February, but was unsure if he would take part in a cycling stage in Grand-Bornand, France, later that year. Jacquelin had joined the Decathlon-CMA CGM cycling team as a trainee for six months and said he wanted to honor the team's trust while pursuing his childhood dream with humility. Fellow athletes like Simon Fourcade and Nans Peters, as well as former cyclists like Marion Rousse and Laurent Jalabert, commented on Jacquelin's transition to cycling. Siegfried Mazet suggested Jacquelin might have a stronger drive in the sport. However, Jacquelin suffered a fall during training in May, fracturing his clavicle, which delayed his progress. For his first race of the season, Jacquelin finished fourth in the Marius-Vial Cycling Grand Prix and believed he would be ready for a race in August. He made his professional debut in the Polynormande on August 16 and was selected for the road race at the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Tarente. The Decathlon-CMA CGM team officially confirmed his participation in the Polynormande and the Tour du Limousin. Jacquelin finished 88th in the Polynormande and 74th in the second stage of the Tour du Limousin. He worked hard in the peloton before his teammate Noa Isidore won the first stage of the Tour du Limousin. Jacquelin placed 26th in the queen stage of the Tour du Limousin and was 60th in the second stage of the Tour of Great Britain. He finished 93rd in the first stage and 60th in the second stage of the Tour of Great Britain. Jacquelin was 52nd in the fourth stage of the Tour of Great Britain and was selected for the Wallonie Grand Prix, but he withdrew after a chain drop. He officially announced his decision to continue in cycling for the next few months and to skip the 2026/2027 biathlon season. Simon Fourcade said Jacquelin's absence would be missed, and Eric Perrot supported his transition. Jacquelin will compete in the Coppa Agostoni and Coppa Bernocchi, and he will start in the Trois Vallées Varesines. However, he did not finish the Coppa Agostoni, which was won by his teammate Paul Lapeira ahead of world champion Brandon McNulty. Jacquelin participated in the Trois Vallées Varesines as his possible final race with the Decathlon-CMA CGM team.