Peruvian baker, father, retiree and adventurer… The big farewell to 2023 reveals what comes after retirement

Retirement isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t have concrete plans for your post-professional career. Even in 2023, the list of those who will say goodbye to the field is long, but it seems that the majority already know which direction they will go in the second part.

the HLN I put together some good sentences, some radical ideas, and one or two really cool career paths: among other things Thibaut Pinot, Peter Sagan, Zdenek Stybar, Greg van Avermaet And To Jens Kokeli He also told what he had in mind for the future.

He will almost certainly miss the race, at least that’s what Pinot says. “But the anonymity would appeal to me very much. What are the plans? I’ll see. Above all, I’ll enjoy life a little now. I’ve been able to purchase almost all of the land surrounding my home in Milesi to house my animals comfortably.” As it turns out, we’re talking about four donkeys, two cows, ten goats, ten sheep and two cats.

“After the Rio 2016 Olympics, I want to be in Paris in 2024 as well. I’m doing this purely for myself. I’m not going for the medal, I don’t feel pressure anymore. It’s about how I want to finish my career.”

But what will he do after he realizes Montes’ plans? It seems that Sagan’s family, his young son, will come first. “It’s all for Marlon. I’ve seen him a little bit in the last five years, he’s always coming and going, never at a big party. Now I can live my life.” – Tell.

Welcome to penzionu Štybar!

This is how it is said in Czech: Welcome to Štybar Guest House! But what exactly was included in ‘Styby’s’ short-term plans is not yet entirely clear, as the news came very suddenly, and his Guangxin announcement of his retirement was somewhat unexpected.

On the other hand, Štybar can already count on his built life outside the world of cycling: not far from Plzeň, in his hometown, Stříbro, there is his well-functioning, very nice hotel (9.5, excellent rating) according to booking.com . At the same time he says: “Now is the time to sit down and think about the future.” So it’s not certain that the structure of the next chapter will stop there.

On Monday morning, he took his bike off the hook where he hung it on Sunday for a “Goodbye Greg” farewell party, so it doesn’t look like Van Avermaet will escape the sport right away.. “At the end of October I will be working on a gravel triathlon in Girona, and in November I will go to Peru for ten days on a bike tour.”

Sure, even he isn’t sure about anything, but he doesn’t want to make sudden decisions about his future. “I would like to stay in cycling, but I wouldn’t rule out continuing in another sport as well. I will soon join the BOIC in preparation, but I don’t want to commit to anything yet. A position at the bike manufacturer BMC? It’s even possible, yes “And it will be a lot of fun.” he added.

“I’m not at all sure what the future holds, but I can say with certainty that the past was wonderful.” – Keukelei thus announced his retirement a few days after the opening stage of the Guangxi Tour.

His streak isn’t the longest, nor is it filled with the most stunning victories, but he certainly leaves behind an exemplary career. He’s also not leaving completely, as it seems he can continue working in his usual environment: according to the news, the first performances have already arrived, so don’t be surprised if we see him around the team car next time.

Oh, and he couldn’t shake his athleticism so much that just five days after his last day of competition in China, he ran the Antwerp Half Marathon in 1 hour and 21 minutes. “At the moment, the fact that I have stopped has not crossed my mind. Probably only at the end of November, when there will be no more training, I will realize that my cycling life is over forever.”

“I started studying to be a baker in Bruges. The goal was to follow in the footsteps of my father-in-law (Roelandz bakery in Sint Maartens Budegem) and continue the shop with Kelly (who is the sister of former professional, now assistant sports director at Movistaros Jürgen Roelandz). Over time, we would take over Run the business and make it “our baby”.

As for sports, next winter I would like to go to some beach competitions, of course, depending on whether I can fit it in with my internship at a bakery in Waregem. “Then, maybe next year we will do a mountain bike dual race with Jürgen.”

Vanmarcke is certain to stay in the sport, but he has yet to process the change that comes with retirement. He decided to give himself time to find a new focus in his life.

“Next year I will be the team captain. The Israel-Premier Tech team informed me that I could join them. In fact, they have already allowed me to try this and that, and participate in training sessions. Recently, I have been immersed in the issue of mental training, and I have read a lot “On this topic. Naturally, I also started taking guitar lessons. I continued to practice as well, but not as crazy, and of course in a calmer way.”

He added: “There is still a faint hope that I will get a new contract from somewhere for 2024, but the reality is that I will probably announce my retirement soon.” There’s also a safety net for Speedy Wally if his career turns out to be over: he and his wife run a bed and breakfast (bed and breakfast) in Stadden, a small half-board place where they serve their own coffee. Mix (con).

In addition to coffee and food, he does not stop exercising, in fact he paddles in completely new waters: “In terms of sports, I am not exhausted and there are still challenges that interest me, for example the Ironman triathlon.

Aside from them, who will leave the field this year:

Those still hoping for a contract extension or signing with a new team:

Robin Abers (Team Flanders – Baloise), Amaury Cabello (Team Arkia Samsik), Ben Hermans (Israel – Premier Tech), Lawrence Niessen (Team AG2R Citroën), Jens Reynders (Israel – Premier Tech) and Guillaume van Keersbulke (Bingoal WB). Among other things.