"I still want to cycle" - Edvald Boasson Hagen out of contract but not ready for retirement just yet

For nearly twenty years, Edvald Boasson Hagen has been a regular name on the startlist of cycling's biggest races. But as 2023 nears its end, the 36-year-old is out of contract and struggling to find new employers.

Having spent the last few seasons at TotalEnergies, Boasson Hagen's contract will not be renewed at the end of the season due to the team's biggest backers, Specialized, pulling back their backing of the team due to the retirement of Peter Sagan.

“In order to get a new contract in such a market, you have to be upfront, and I have been upfront over the last few months and am talking to some teams,” Boasson Hagen has told Discovery, hinting his wage demands may be the reason for the lack of action. “I haven't lost faith and have some options. I've been cycling for a long time and don't want to cycle for free. There are some teams that have indicated that I can ride for them if I want, but that I would be on minimum wage. I still want to cycle, but it must still be worth it.”

One team who had been rumoured was Uno-X Pro Cycling Team. This now seems unlikely however. “Uno-X is a very nice team, and I would have liked to have cycled there," Boasson Hagen admitted. "It's a shame I'm not allowed to do that. At least it seems as if that door is closed."