"It hasn't really dawned on me yet" - GP de Montréal last race for Daryl Impey as a pro rider

The GP de Montréal will be a spectacular race this Sunday with a tremendous startlist. However there will be a few plots, as a few riders say goodbye to the peloton. One of them is Daryl Impey, who retired from pro cycling today.

“It hasn't really dawned on me yet. I think it will only dawn on me today: gosh, this is really the last race of my career," Impey said ahead of the Canadian race. "I don't know what to expect and what it will feel like. If I'm suffering again during the race, I know I've made the right choice. On the other hand: I will never experience this again."

The South African rider was one of the continent's most successful riders ever and carries with him a palmarès matched by only a few. A stage winner and yellow jersey wearer at the Tour de France, double Tour Down Under winner, 10-time national champion (road and time-trial combined) and winner of 30 pro races. The 38-year old has been part of the peloton since 2008 and has his final race for Israel - Premier Tech today, having succeeded as a puncheur throughout his career.

“I think that at some point the emotions will dominate, but perhaps after the race it will all feel a bit more normal," he anticipates. And when people shake your hand and say: man, it was fun racing with you. Only then can you really place it and understand it. Soon I won't have to think about training anymore. Then I can just drink a beer without feeling guilty. That is something I am looking forward to.”