Cycling world loses another great rider after Sunday: Démare announces retirement with a heartfelt hessage

“The time has come,” the 34-year-old Frenchman captioned his post on Instagram. “I started cycling when I was six. I have been lucky enough to live my dream, win major races, and proudly represent French cycling at the highest level.”

“I never thought I would achieve all this,” Démare admits. “I threw myself into this passion as a family, and it is that family that has supported me all these years,” he says gratefully. His professional cycling adventure will come to an end this Sunday. “At the end of this season, after Paris-Tours, I will turn the page.”

“I'm proud of my journey and, above all, deeply grateful to my family, my teams, and my supporters. The competitive spirit will always remain in me,” he says, hinting at a return to sports. “You'll still see me with a number on my back, in sports in general. Just for fun.”

“I am curious about new things, with a thousand desires in mind, ready to discover other backgrounds,” Démare says, looking to the near future. “Time for new challenges...and more time with my family. Thank you all. ❤️ Arnaud,” the man with 97 victories (!) concludes his announcement.

So, after Sunday, France will lose one of its most successful riders of all time. In fact, among active riders, only Tadej Pogacar (107) and retiring Alexander Kristoff (98) have won more. Démare's victories included eight in the Giro d'Italia, twice in the Tour de France, as well as wins at Milan-Sanremo in 2016 and the Hamburg Cyclassics in 2012.

Bonne continuation pour la suite, Arnaud!