Alberto Contador understands Simon Yates' sudden retirement: "Cycling is a very sacrificial sport. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year"

Simon Yates announced yesterday, against all expectations, that he is retiring from professional cycling at 33, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the peloton and among fans. The British rider, one of the standout names in Grand Tour racing over the past decade, closes a career marked by wins, setbacks, and remarkable longevity at the top level. The news was analysed on Eurosport by Alberto Contador, the former rider and current network commentator, who offered a broad reflection on the reasons and context behind the decision.

“A big surprise today, Simon Yates announcing he’s retiring from professional cycling at just 33,” Contador began, underlining how unexpected the timing was, especially at this point in the season. The Spaniard stressed that, while retirement may seem striking given the rider’s age, there are multiple personal and professional factors that weigh on such choices. “It’s true it’s complicated, we all have our own minds. Surprising, because of the date it was announced, but not that he’s retiring,” he added.

Contador pointed to Yates’ palmarès to frame his departure. “He’s won the Vuelta a España, he’s won the Giro d’Italia…” he recalled, running through some of the biggest landmarks of his career. He paid special attention to the Giro taken eight years after one of the toughest episodes of his sporting life. “The Giro eight years after losing it on the Colle delle Finestre, which was precisely where he won it in 2025,” he explained, highlighting the symbolism of that victory and the Briton’s resilience.

Beyond his Grand Tour successes, Contador emphasized Yates’ consistency and competitive edge across different terrains. “He’s also won several stages at the Tour, several at the Vuelta, and at the Giro,” he listed, stressing that, from a sporting standpoint, the rider has fulfilled 'more or less all his objectives'. For 'El Pistolero', this is key to understanding the retirement: many riders choose to step away when they feel there are no major goals left to chase.

Another factor Contador pointed out was the accumulated wear after years competing at the highest level. “It’s many years at the very top, and he has his life quite well set up for the future,” he said, noting the personal and professional stability Yates has built during his career. In this sense, he recalled the enormous sacrifice professional cycling demands. “You also have to keep in mind that cycling is a very sacrificial sport. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you have to be aware that you’re a professional cyclist,” he explained, describing a constant demand that goes far beyond racing.

In July at the start of the Tour de France, Yates talked to CyclingUpToDate where he shared that he only had a few days of rest and celebration before flying to a team training camp in Tignes in preparation for the Tour de France. It highlights perfectly the performance-driven mindset of Visma, and his role within the team despite having just won the biggest race of his career.

Contador also introduced a factor that, in his experience, weighs more with age: risk. “Another very important factor, which you feel more as you get older, is that it’s a high-risk sport. There are many crashes and that sometimes makes you doubt,” he said. Injuries, accidents, and constant exposure to danger are part of the peloton’s daily life and can decisively influence the continuity of a sporting career.

For the Eurosport commentator, Yates’ retirement results from the combination of all these elements. “I think this mix sometimes also leads you to make this kind of decision,” he concluded, summing up a view that goes beyond a single case and connects with the reality of many professional cyclists.

Contador’s message ended with a tone of recognition and gratitude toward the British rider. “So, well, my friend, many thanks for the show, for your great career. Congratulations and good luck on the new path,” he said, underlining Simon Yates’ sporting legacy and the new chapter now beginning away from competition.