Former World Tour pro retires at age 29 - "My body and my mental health have told me it’s time"

Many have warned that at this point in cycling, the riders may begin to retire earlier in their careers. That certainly seems to be an ongoing trend already and today 29-year old Jonas Gregaard has announced his retirement from the sport after many years racing at the top level.

"After many years as a professional cyclist, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from the sport," Gregaard announced in an Instagram post. "This has been a journey that has taken me through every Grand Tour, across countless roads, and into moments I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life". Gregaard turned pro in 2015 with Team Trefor - Blue Water, rode three years for the Danish Riwal Platform Cycling Team and in 2019 moved up to the World Tour with Astana.

In 2022 and 2023 he raced for Uno-X Pro Cycling Team, winning the KOM classification at the 2023 Paris-Nice, perhaps the highlight of his career. These were his best years as he has Top10 results at La Route d'Occitanie, Tour de Luxembourg and also in a Tour de France stage - the one time he competed. In 2024 he moved to Lotto and has since been in the Belgian team, which is set to promote to World Tour this year. However amongst the merger chaos, Gregaard did not have a contract, but felt like it was time to hang up the wheels.

"I’ve been fortunate to experience the highs and lows of this sport together with incredible teammates, staff, colleagues, and competitors who have shaped me both as an athlete and as a person. To my teammates, staff, and everyone I’ve shared a team bus, a training camp, a suffering climb or a quiet dinner with - thank you. You made this part of my life special. A special thank you to my family and friends. Your support has been the foundation beneath everything. You’ve stood by me through the chaos, the stress, the joy, and the heartbreaks that come with this sport. I’m endlessly grateful."

Although he ends his career without a pro win, whilst in the Danish continental scene he did win the GP Himmerland as well as the GC of the Kreiz Breizh in 2017. "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. Cycling demands everything, and right now I need to give something back to myself. Even though I’m closing this chapter, I’m genuinely excited about what comes next".

What that is exactly the 29-year old does not know yet, but it could be within the cycling business. "I’m open to conversations, ideas, and opportunities as I look toward the future. If you’d like to talk, explore possibilities or simply connect, I’m always open to it. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this ride. It’s meant more than you know".