Emilien Jacquelin, a former Olympic biathlon champion, has announced that he will end his professional cycling season in 2026, though he intends to continue cycling through 2027. This decision has sparked speculation about whether he might return to the French biathlon team for the 2027/2028 winter season. However, Stéphane Bouthiaux, director of the French biathlon teams, suggested that if Jacquelin completes the 2027 cycling season, it may be challenging for him to transition back to biathlon in time for the following winter. Jacquelin, however, has expressed interest in participating in the pre-Olympic season leading up to the 2030 Winter Olympics, indicating that his focus remains on long-term goals. Jacquelin's transition to cycling has included participation in several notable races, such as the Polynormande, the Tour du Limousin, the Mediterranean Games, the Tour of Great Britain, and various Grand Prix events across Europe. He joined the Decathlon-CMA CGM cycling team as a trainee for six months and competed in the road race at the Tarente 2026 Mediterranean Games, where he finished fourteenth. He also took part in the Fourmies Grand Prix and the Wallonia Grand Prix, though he withdrew from the latter after experiencing a chain drop during the race. Reactions to Jacquelin's move have been mixed. Simon Fourcade, a fellow French biathlete, noted that Jacquelin's absence from the 2026/2027 biathlon season is likely and that his presence will be missed. However, Eric Perrot and Martin Fourcade have expressed support for Jacquelin's new career path, highlighting his physical strength and potential in cycling. Nans Peters, a former cyclist and friend, believes Jacquelin has the ability to excel in technical prologues but must adapt to the demands of the peloton, or the group of riders in a race. Despite facing challenges such as a clavicle fracture in early May and a fall during training, Jacquelin has shown resilience and determination, finishing in various positions across multiple races. His potential return to biathlon remains uncertain, with Jacquelin suggesting it may be for only one year, similar to his brief stint in cycling. In his absence, the French biathlon team is expected to focus on other athletes, though Bouthiaux noted that Jacquelin's move to cycling allowed the team to strengthen its relationship with Simon Fourcade.