Seasoned riders retire: 'Skytrain' rider Castroviejo and Australian rider Clarke call it quits

"I want share with you a resolution that I made some time ago," Castroviejo explained on social media. "I believe that the end of the season is the right time for me to stop racing as a professional cyclist. After years of commitment, effort, and passion on the bike, it is the moment to bring this important chapter of my life to a close and open new ones."

The 38-year-old Spaniard owes a lot to his family. "These years at the top level of the sport would not have been feasible without the continued support of my wife and children, and also from my parents. They have helped me in every pedal stroke, in every injury, and in every success. Cycling has given me everything: learnings, friendships, challenges, and memories that I will forever carry in my heart, a heart full of gratitude."

Castroviejo began his professional career in 2010 with Euskaltel-Euskadi. After two years in Basque service, he moved to Movistar, where he mainly served as a domestique for Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana, among others. He personally helped the latter to overall victories in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. In 2016 he became the first-ever European time trial champion, beating Victor Campenaerts in Plumelec. In the same year, he finished third at the World Championships in Qatar. He also won a total of six national championships in that discipline.

After six years of loyal service to Movistar, he moved to rival Team Sky, which was renamed INEOS a year later. With the British team, he was part of the teams that won the 2019 Tour de France (Egan Bernal), the 2020 Giro (Tao Geoghegan Hart), and the 2021 Giro (Bernal). Castroviejo failed to win a stage in 20 Grand Tours, although he did finish second on three occasions. The Spaniard is currently competing in the Giro, where he is tasked with helping Bernal achieve a top finish.  

In addition to Castroviejo, Simon Clarke is also retiring from the sport. "After 17 unforgettable seasons in the professional peloton, I would like to announce my retirement from professional cycling," he said on social media. "I left Australia at just 16 years old with a dream to make it in Europe as a cyclist. I had no guarantees, just a deep love for the sport and a determination to chase something bigger. The decision changed my life."

The Australian will not retire at the end of this season; he will still be riding the Tour Down Under and the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in 2026. That will be enough for the 38-year-old rider, who has ridden for EF Education First and Orica GreenEDGE, among others. He won two stages in the Tour of Spain, but his most significant victory came in the 2022 Tour when he beat Taco van der Hoorn in the cobbled stage to Arenberg.