12/10/2024

"It's my last race of the year but hopefully not my last race as a pro" - Larry Warbasse on crossroads with nothing signed for 2025

Experience worth twelve years among pros doesn't seem to pique interest of many teams anymore. Larry Warbasse found this out as the 2024 comes to an end. The 34-year-old American had by far one of his best seasons ever with 5th overall at Tour Poitou - Charente (2.1) and consistent performances throughout the year. Yet his team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale wasn't impressed and opted not to renew with the American after six seasons of cooperation.

"It's my last race of the year, and it's my last race with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale but hopefully it won't be my last race as a pro," Warbasse told Cyclingnews.

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"If Lombardia ends up being the last race of my career, then it'd be really sad. But I'm trying to go forward with the mindset that it will not be my last race. I want to keep racing. I really love this sport and I love racing my bike."

Warbasse had already previously wandered off to the other side of cycling with a stint as 'expert' at Eurosport during Tour de France. But ultimately, he still prefers cycling. "I'd like to stay in the peloton for my legs more than my media presence and profile, but both sides are important," he said.

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"When I was on the plane to the Canada races, I wrote down the pros and cons of being a pro cyclist and my possible options, doing gravel or moving into a team staff role. But when it all came down to it, I realised I really want to still be a pro bike rider. In what shape or form, I don't know yet, but the objective is to stay a pro rider at the highest level possible if I can. That's what motivates me. That's what I'd really like to do."

His current team Decathlon AG2R experienced a steady rise in 2024. Warbasse witnessed this first-hand as a member of a team that delivered Ben O'Connor in fourth overall at the Giro d'Italia. Yet that was far from enough to land a contract renewal at the team. "I'm still getting better every year. I can see that I'm improving. And I haven't lost any motivation. Hopefully, people can see what I can bring to a team."