"But who says that Pogacar will still be at this level for 5 years?" Former pro reacts to Tadej Pogacar doping questions

Lilian Calmejane has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 31, surprising many in the cycling community. Once a rising star in French cycling, Calmejane had a notable career, securing 12 professional victories, including stage wins in both the Tour de France and La Vuelta. However, after struggling to regain his form post-pandemic, he made the decision to step away from the sport.

Reflecting on his choice, Calmejane told Cyclism'Actu, “It's a choice that was made during the season. To be completely honest, as I have almost always been throughout my career, it was after the Giro that I really decided on my future. What was important to me was not to have any regrets. And after the Giro d'Italia, I realized that it was complicated to achieve my dream.

“My first goal was to continue for another year and to stop in 2025. Following this decision that I made with my loved ones and especially my wife, we had more or less an agreement with my current team, Intermarché-Wanty, to re-sign for one year and finish in 2025.”

For Calmejane, his victory at the Tour de France remains a standout moment in his career. He reflected, “Yes, for sure. In any case, it's the one that remains etched in people's minds, and in mine too. It's something immutable. Now, there are successes that have given me so much emotion, that have given me so many goosebumps. If we're talking about pure emotion, it's one of my best moments on a bike, if not the best, but there are others that I'll remember for the rest of my life.”

A significant portion of Calmejane's recent reflections with Cyclism'Actu centered on Tadej Pogacar and the persistent questions surrounding doping in professional cycling. When asked about the scrutiny around Pogacar, Calmejane shared his perspective: “I dare to hope that it is actually a good thing in a sport to always have doubts. It also means that there are great performances that happen, things that are a bit 'extraordinary', and I think that high-level sport is extraordinary no matter what.

Calmejane drew comparisons with other sports to highlight his point, noting, “If we take all sports, there are striking examples. Look at this year's Olympics, a boy like Léon Marchand, there are plenty of people who must be asking themselves questions about his performances. An athlete like Usain Bolt, who for me is the greatest athlete of all time, it's the same. There are always a few athletes who are ultra dominant. But who says that Tadej Pogacar will still be at this level for 5 years? I'm not sure. It's normal that there are questions, cycling is a difficult sport that has experienced quite a few scandals with doping, so it will follow him for a long time. As a professional rider, you must not be haunted by that and think that everyone cheats. You have to stay true to your values and continue.”

As Calmejane steps away from cycling, his reflections on the sport and the pressures that come with being at the top offer a poignant perspective. His admiration for athletes like Pogacar is clear, yet he acknowledges the questions that naturally accompany extraordinary talent in a sport with a complex history.