Thomas De Gendt (37 years old): “My last trophy is a block of Legos”
The king of the breakaway will leave the pelotons. Stage winner on the three grand Tours, Thomas De Gendt (37) will also end his career this Sunday at the Singapore criterium. The Belgian from Lotto Dstny would have liked to win one last stage victory, as an adventurer, but he did not raise his arms in 2024. “My daughter Amber cried when she saw I couldn’t raise my arms in my last Vueltahe explained a few days ago in the Stamcafé Koers podcast. But, to comfort me, my children made me a trophy from Lego blocks and this last trophy is the most important to me.”
Paris-Chauny: Thomas De Gendt competed in the last race of his career
The one who will now participate in gravel races (because he is afraid of “physical shock” if he stops in one go) also returned to several anecdotes during his career, including his addiction to… M&M’s. “It started at the 2012 Giro: I found a package on the bus and I ate it all. The next day, my legs were good and I became a little superstitious… to the point of carrying up to five kilos of M&M’s in my suitcase on a big tour.”
It is also on this 2012 Giro that Thomas De Gendt won the greatest victory of his career, on the Stelvio stage. “Few runners can boast of having raised their arms at the top of this legendary pass.”
A collector at heart, the Belgian could almost open a museum in his post-career. “I’ve barely thrown away any of the gear I’ve used over the years. I have almost thirty boxes of clothing and numerous bikes.” Memories of an extraordinary epic.
Lilian Calmejane (31 years old): “I felt a little cramped”
He will not have succeeded in raising his arms on the three grand tours (but he will have worn the jersey of best climber in the Giro, after having won in the Tour and in the Vuelta). And at only 31 years old, Lilian Calmejane decided to end her career, after two seasons spent at Intermarché-Wanty. “It was a pretty good start to extend my contract, but in the end, it didn’t happenhe explained for Eurosport. I didn’t really feel it coming, but I always told myself that I would have to ask myself the right questions the day I no longer had a contract. In my head, 2025 would be my last season but it went a little faster than expected…”
A lower level and weariness of an environment where he no longer finds himself also explains his decision. “The last few seasons have been more complicated. In terms of pleasure, I found myself less there. It is more difficult to accept the sacrifices and demands of discipline when the results do not follow behind. Intellectually, I also felt a little cramped in a fairly routine environment.” And more and more precise. “Even on the evening of the last race of the season, I saw some guys weighing their rice and their carbohydrates.” Not really Calmejane’s style.
Edvald Boasson Hagen (37 years old): “Want to explore new things”
Very competitive at the start of his career, when he notably won the Eneco Tour, the Tour of Great Britain or even a stage of the Giro and Ghent-Wevelgem at only 21 years old, Edvald Boasson Hagen then returned to the ranks. Nevertheless, he has reason to be proud of a career which has notably seen him win three times on a stage of the Tour de France or five times on the Dauphiné. But in recent years, he has especially distinguished himself in a team member role, which he took on one last time at Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale in 2024.
“There is a time for everything and, after 17 years as a professional runner, I am proud of what I have accomplished”said the Norwegian when announcing his retirement. “I want to spend more time with family and explore new possibilities.”
Michael Morkov (39 years old): “I have never been the most talented”
Long considered the best pilot fish in the world, Michael Morkov announced his retirement a few days after Mark Cavendish’s 35th victory in the Tour de France. Proof that this was his last challenge alongside his lifelong friend. “I really enjoyed this last experience on the roads of Francedon’t hide the Dane. I am very happy with what I have been able to accomplish as a cyclist. I have never been the most talented runner, and with the qualities that were mine, I was able to take part in the biggest races in the world and join the biggest teams. It allowed me to create strong friendships.”
With Cavendish, obviously, but not only. It was with his compatriot Larse Norman Hansen that Morkov experienced the most beautiful emotion of his career. “Becoming an Olympic Madison champion in Tokyo in 2020 and winning an Olympic gold medal was incredible.”
Simon Geschke (38 years old): “Before, we drank beers every evening in December”
Another very well-known beard in the pelotons: that of Simon Geschke. We won’t see her again in 2025. After a discreet last year, the German says stop. Because the pleasure is gone. “Cycling has become less and less fun over the years, he explains to Wheeler. It’s no secret that everything has gone faster and faster in terms of equipment, bikes and mentalities. With more high camps and less fun.” Less alcohol, too.
“During my first years, we did low-intensity endurance rides in December, then we drank a few beers every evening. We didn’t exaggerate, but we still had a good time. Now, from December onwards, we ‘trains very hard and we rarely drink a beer.’
A lifestyle that is less suitable for those who still won a stage in the Tour de France in 2015. “I can be proud of a lot of results but to have won on the Tour and the goal of all professional cyclists. So it’s very special.”
Rigoberto Uran (37 years old): “I want to become a footballer”
Second in the Giro in 2013 and 2014, and second in the Tour in 2017, Rigoberto Uran will remain as one of the best Colombian climbers of his generation. He won’t have missed much to win a grand tour, but he still has three stage victories to his record.
Rigoberto Uran announces his retirement: “It’s something I thought about for a long time”
But after nearly 25 years dedicated to cycling, he has no plans to leave the world of sport. He even has the dream of becoming… a footballer, as he recently told El Colombiano. “The dream of every Colombian child is to play football and I want to try. There are many teams in Colombia and there is surely one that will want to be in the spotlight and let me in at the 85th minute, right? Just give me five minutes.”
A pretty crazy bet, but one that he seems to firmly believe in, at 37 years old. “I don’t want to be a striker, because that comes with a lot of responsibility, more of a defender.” Athletics and triathlon also attract Rigo. “I have to learn to run and swim, but it’s something different. I want it.”
Robert Gesink (38 years old): “We won’t see this again in cycling”
He doesn’t have the most high-sounding name, but Robert Gesink was an essential jersey in Visma’s success | Lease a Bike in recent seasons. Destined to be a grand tour rider, the Dutch climber (winner of the GP Montreal in 2010 and the GP Quebec in 2013) successfully converted into a team member. His finest moments were experienced on the Tour of Spain, with a stage victory in 2016, but also with wearing the red jersey after the inaugural team time trial, in 2022. On his home soil , in Utrecht.
“I am very proud of this, but if I have to choose the greatest moment of my career, I would say the Vuelta 2023. Seeing our team on the final podium with three different riders (Sepp Kuss, Jonas Vingegaard and Primoz Roglic) was amazing. We also won five stages and we were the best team. I don’t think we’ll see that again in cycling. It was special to be part of this adventure.”
