What a night in ‘t Kuipke 😍 @IljoKeisse said farewell to his amazing pro career surrounded by family, friends, teammates and fans, but not before he was crowned Emperor of Gent 🙌 Merci, Iljo 💙 Photo: @BeelWout
Iljo Keisse celebrates retirement with fans and teammates - "It's the very best day of my career"
CyclingSaturday, 26 November 2022 at 00:00
Iljo Keisse said his last goodbyes to cycling in Kuipke on Thursday. He was joined by 6,000 fans, as well as his most important teammates from his cycling career, at a special farewell celebration.
"I am speechless. It's the very best day of my career," Keisse told Het Nieuwsblad. He got a bit emotional before continuing again. "This is really crazy. What it was all going to be, I didn't know beforehand, but I quickly saw what proportions it was all taking on. It's not something another rider of my level gets. I can say I've done a lot for others in my career, but what I've gotten in return? Thank you."
Thanking his fans and teammates for being there to celebrate his retirement, he expressed his gratitude. "I think it's fantastic that everyone has been willing to do that for me. I thank my family and Patrick Lefevere. Now the circle is complete. I became a rider to ride six-day races and not to win the Tour of Flanders. I have always raced on adrenaline, on support. Merci for all the beautiful moments," said Keisse.
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl has hired the Belgian as a team manager. "In the meantime, I have succeeded as a team manager at the UCI in Aigle, but I am already a few team meetings behind. Even today I missed one. On December 1, I am already back at work. As a team leader, I also want to go step by step. It will be different with Remco. No longer in the same room but along the other side of the table. It will be adjusted. For everyone," Keisse concluded.
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- In Italy you have few days, no more than 10 days.
maria2024202422-11-2024 - Thank you, I don't know it.maria2024202422-11-2024
- Danish guy here. We have up to 6 monthsspock12322-11-2024
- Yeah I thought also he will race the Tour as well if Tim Wellens not feeling good.
James2631822-11-2024 - is it normal in Denmark not to have a name for the baby after 2 month of his birth? how is the baby officially registered in the municipality/commune? is it not immediate?maria2024202422-11-2024
- Convicted of? Didn't need to be convicted. He confessed. But he was guilty of fraud, racketeering, bribery, drug smuggling, threating witnesses, and extortion.Sweep22-11-2024
- And Lance is regularly at his side. I want to puke each time I see them together.dabman21-11-2024
- WADA had no issues with looking the other way when Lance tested positive. Sorry WADA but you lack credibility.dabman21-11-2024
- Disappointing that his agent could get him €40m/yr.Front24221-11-2024
- Its actually simple, He had just signed a contract earlier in the year. but He wanted more money and possibly support. So he leftabstractengineer21-11-2024