Bike racing seems to be seeing an unprecedented number of young riders hanging up their racing wheels at the moment, with the danger of the sport and psychological pressures often cited.
Now former Lotto rider Jonas Gregaard has added his name to the list, saying: “Choosing to retire hasn’t been easy, but it’s the right decision for many reasons. My body and my mental health have told me it’s time – and I’ve learned how important it is to listen to that.”
“Choosing to retire hasn’t been easy, but it’s the right decision for many reasons,” Gregaard wrote on social media. “Cycling demands everything, and right now I need to give something back to myself.”
His decision to retire may have been shaped in part by his experience in 2023 when he won the mountains classification at Paris-Nice. Believing that left him in a strong position to renegotiate his contract, Gregaard waited to re-sign only for the team to lose interest. The expected merger between Intermarché and Lotto can’t have helped his current situation.
“This industry is tough, and you have to get your elbows out and get on the bus to make a name for yourself…” he said at the time.