It's easy to look at those riders moving teams, but what about those that are retiring. Why and what are they doing after? I'm going to try and look at those retiring this season. (There will be some I miss but hey I'm trying to cover most of them!)
Bingen Fernandez:- The 36 year old Spanish Cofidis rider is retiring and got a great reception at the Vuelta a Espana; his last major race. He was allowed to ride ahead of the bunch on the last stage into Madrid and his team even had cute banners for him. After turning professional in 1996 he rode for Euskadi until 2001 when he joined the French team Cofidis. The last I heard he was to be going to Garmin to become a sporting director!
Simone Masciarelli:- The 29 year old Acqua and Sapone rider is retiring after 9 years as a professional. He's pretty young to be retiring and I can't actually find the reason why so if anyone can help me out, I'd appreciate it.
Stephane Goubert:- The 39 year old AG2R La Mondiale rider is retiring after 15 years as a professional. You might remember him killing himself during the Tour this year for Nocentini. His former teams include Festina and Cofidis and he's been with AG2R since 2004, so is a faithful lieutenant. He hasn't actually announced his plans as of yet.
AG2R also have another rider retiring, the 24 year old Jean-Charles Senac who's only been a pro for a year! Apparently AG2R chose not to renew him and so he's retiring. Very odd.
Nicolas Jalabert:- The 36 year old Agritubel rider is calling it quits. Probably influenced by the closure of Agritubel, the 12 year pro is finishing. Will he head into commentary like his brother?
Patrick Calcagni:- With the closure of Barloworld, the 32 year old Calcagni is also calling it quits. After 9 years as a pro. He's heading into the land of journalism, commentary and tv. He has twitter if you want to follow him.
Marcus Zberg:- At 35 years of age he's calling it quits having been a pro for 14 years and ridden for teams such as Rabobank, Gerolsteiner and BMC. His is less optional as he has some pretty nasty injuries. These include breaking part of his pelvis and a rib. The last article I saw he was underwaiting results to see whether there was anything more serious. He's not sure what he'll do yet.
Nicolas Portal? He's 30 years of age and has been a pro since 2002, riding for AG2R before joining Caisse d'Epargne in 2006. This man's future is still under question. His season was hampered by a heart condition that meant his heart had an irregular rhythm whilst doing sports. He's been resting and took the required six months off but whether he'll retire or not is still hanging in the balance.
The same goes for Oscar Pereiro, though it is looking much more likely that he'll continue, presumably with Xacebeo Galicia, though Quick Step and Radio Shack have been rumoured.
David Canada:- The 33 year old favourite rider of mine who's currently at Footon-Servetto has had to work as a DS this year while he recovers from mellanoma (skin cancer). It seems likely that he'll officially retire and carry on his role as a staff member.
Will Frischkorn:- Again, another surprise one. This Garmin man is 28 and turned professional in 2000. He's going to be continuing with Garmin but not on the racing side of things. He'll instead work with the sponsorship management side. He says he really enjoyed his time racing but felt he needed something new and the chance to remain in Girona and continue with the team is a fantastic oppurtunity.
Steven De Jongh:- The 35 year old Quick Step man was probably the first to announce his retirement. He's been a pro since 1995. It's not clear but the main reasons he's stated seem to be because he wants to spend more time with his family, particularly his kids. He would like to remain somehow involved but he isn't sure how he'll do this yet.
Ronny Scholz:- Yep, the 31 year old Milram rider has been pro since 2001 but calls it quits. I'm unsure of the reasons, but I hear he wants to remain involved with Milram somehow.
Martin Muller:- Scholz's 35 year old team mate is also retiring after 13 years a professional. He says Milram didn't offer him a contract and that he wouldn't get another due to age and nationality. Thus he will look for work outside of cycling.
Marcus Ljungqvist:- Riding for Saxo Bank this year the 35 year old Swede is calling a time on his riding career after 12 years. But he'll still be heavily involved because he's heading to Team Sky to become a DS. Good for them, a bit of a loss for Saxo Bank.
The picture below is of my favourite retiree, David Canada in happier days.
Bingen Fernandez:- The 36 year old Spanish Cofidis rider is retiring and got a great reception at the Vuelta a Espana; his last major race. He was allowed to ride ahead of the bunch on the last stage into Madrid and his team even had cute banners for him. After turning professional in 1996 he rode for Euskadi until 2001 when he joined the French team Cofidis. The last I heard he was to be going to Garmin to become a sporting director!
Simone Masciarelli:- The 29 year old Acqua and Sapone rider is retiring after 9 years as a professional. He's pretty young to be retiring and I can't actually find the reason why so if anyone can help me out, I'd appreciate it.
Stephane Goubert:- The 39 year old AG2R La Mondiale rider is retiring after 15 years as a professional. You might remember him killing himself during the Tour this year for Nocentini. His former teams include Festina and Cofidis and he's been with AG2R since 2004, so is a faithful lieutenant. He hasn't actually announced his plans as of yet.
AG2R also have another rider retiring, the 24 year old Jean-Charles Senac who's only been a pro for a year! Apparently AG2R chose not to renew him and so he's retiring. Very odd.
Nicolas Jalabert:- The 36 year old Agritubel rider is calling it quits. Probably influenced by the closure of Agritubel, the 12 year pro is finishing. Will he head into commentary like his brother?
Patrick Calcagni:- With the closure of Barloworld, the 32 year old Calcagni is also calling it quits. After 9 years as a pro. He's heading into the land of journalism, commentary and tv. He has twitter if you want to follow him.
Marcus Zberg:- At 35 years of age he's calling it quits having been a pro for 14 years and ridden for teams such as Rabobank, Gerolsteiner and BMC. His is less optional as he has some pretty nasty injuries. These include breaking part of his pelvis and a rib. The last article I saw he was underwaiting results to see whether there was anything more serious. He's not sure what he'll do yet.
Nicolas Portal? He's 30 years of age and has been a pro since 2002, riding for AG2R before joining Caisse d'Epargne in 2006. This man's future is still under question. His season was hampered by a heart condition that meant his heart had an irregular rhythm whilst doing sports. He's been resting and took the required six months off but whether he'll retire or not is still hanging in the balance.
The same goes for Oscar Pereiro, though it is looking much more likely that he'll continue, presumably with Xacebeo Galicia, though Quick Step and Radio Shack have been rumoured.
David Canada:- The 33 year old favourite rider of mine who's currently at Footon-Servetto has had to work as a DS this year while he recovers from mellanoma (skin cancer). It seems likely that he'll officially retire and carry on his role as a staff member.
Will Frischkorn:- Again, another surprise one. This Garmin man is 28 and turned professional in 2000. He's going to be continuing with Garmin but not on the racing side of things. He'll instead work with the sponsorship management side. He says he really enjoyed his time racing but felt he needed something new and the chance to remain in Girona and continue with the team is a fantastic oppurtunity.
Steven De Jongh:- The 35 year old Quick Step man was probably the first to announce his retirement. He's been a pro since 1995. It's not clear but the main reasons he's stated seem to be because he wants to spend more time with his family, particularly his kids. He would like to remain somehow involved but he isn't sure how he'll do this yet.
Ronny Scholz:- Yep, the 31 year old Milram rider has been pro since 2001 but calls it quits. I'm unsure of the reasons, but I hear he wants to remain involved with Milram somehow.
Martin Muller:- Scholz's 35 year old team mate is also retiring after 13 years a professional. He says Milram didn't offer him a contract and that he wouldn't get another due to age and nationality. Thus he will look for work outside of cycling.
Marcus Ljungqvist:- Riding for Saxo Bank this year the 35 year old Swede is calling a time on his riding career after 12 years. But he'll still be heavily involved because he's heading to Team Sky to become a DS. Good for them, a bit of a loss for Saxo Bank.
The picture below is of my favourite retiree, David Canada in happier days.
