BRATISLAVA. The career of one of the best sprinters in cycling history is coming to an end. Before the penultimate stage of the 108th year Tour de France German André Greipel has announced that he will end his successful career after the season.
“Tomorrow’s stage will definitely be my last on the Tour and I will end my career after the season,” Greipel said in a video released by the Israel Start-Up Nation team.
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The 39-year-old sprinter has achieved eleven victories in the most famous cycling races so far. A possible triumph on Sunday would be offset by the record of Petr Sagan, whom he defeated several times in the Champs Elysees in Paris.
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The most memorable is their duel from 2016, when a native of Rostock narrowly defeated the second Slovak. In addition, the former Lotto Soudal rider has seven stage victories at the Giro d’Italia and four at Vuelta and España.
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Greipel achieved a total of 158 victories, which is still the most among active cyclists. His longtime rival Mark Cavendish has recorded three less so far.
“I am very happy with what I have accomplished with my fellow passengers and the team around me. Without them and of course without my family, I would not have achieved it,” Greipel said in the video.
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The German, with a wide smile and the nickname “Gorilla”, also expressed gratitude for the support he received during his career. He wishes the athletes in the pro-peloton all the best and hopes that he will stay in cycling even after his career.
“I’m not looking back with anger. I’m looking to the future with great luck,” added the two-time winner of the Australian Tour Down Under.
Tour de France
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