It is the story of someone who had already stepped away from that path, because along the way, he had lost something essential: the joy of cycling.
As a junior, Gabriel was regarded as one of France’s major talents. Strong performances and victories quickly attracted international attention, and at just 18 years old he joined the Soudal Quick-Step Development Team, seemingly the perfect next step towards a future in the WorldTour.
And from a sporting perspective, Gabriel showed that he belonged at that level. In his first U23 season, he delivered promising performances against experienced international competition.
From rising talent to questioning the path
But while everything appeared to be progressing according to plan, Gabriel began asking himself a question that is not always easy for a young athlete to ask:
Is this really the life I want to live?
Cycling had gone from being his passion to defining almost every aspect of his daily life. Training, racing, nutrition and recovery dominated his routine, while his studies at the prestigious Sciences Po in Paris and his social life increasingly took a back seat.
At only 18 years old, Gabriel made a remarkably mature decision: he stepped away from the Soudal Quick-Step Development Team and, for the time being, from the direct path towards professional cycling.
Taking a step back to rediscover the joy
Importantly, Gabriel had not lost his love for the bike. Quite the opposite. Riding with friends and experiencing cycling away from highly professionalised structures reminded him of why he had fallen in love with the sport in the first place. He returned to racing in France, but with a different perspective on what cycling should mean in his life.
Back with BIKE AID – but on a different path
Now, Gabriel is ready to start a new chapter with BIKE AID. Together, we want to explore whether high-level international cycling can work differently: with space for personal development, education and a life beyond racing — while still giving Gabriel the opportunity to discover how far his considerable sporting potential can take him.
For BIKE AID, this is the most important part of this partnership.
We do not want to bring Gabriel back into a system he consciously decided to leave. We want to create an environment together in which he can rediscover the joy of professional cycling.
There is no predetermined destination and no pressure to make up for a supposedly “lost” career. Gabriel should have the freedom to race, develop and find out for himself how far he wants to go.
Because talent does not disappear when a young person chooses to take a different path.
Sometimes, it simply takes a different path for talent and passion to come together again.
Welcome to BIKE AID, Gabriel.
Newspaper Article l´Equipe (Paywall)
Newspaper Article Le Parisien (Paywall)
Article Cyclingnews.com
@eurosport_france Cycliste prometteur, Gabriel Berg a décidé de tout arrêter à 18 ans. L’hyper-professionnalisation, les chutes, la peur : il nous explique son choix. #SportsTikTok #cycling #storytime ♬ son original - Eurosport France
