Jakob Fuglsang considering early retirement - "I will consider whether it's worth it"

Jakob Fuglsang has been for large years a big piece within the pro peloton, and despite still having his winning ways proven in 2022, he admits that he is pondering on the decision of retiring before his contract with Israel - Premier Tech ends. Mathias Brändle, Alex Dowsett and Guy Niv have all recently announced their departure from the peloton at the end of this season.

"I'm not worried about whether the team is relegated. But of course that's not what I want. I don't want to have to drive as a Pro-Conti team in the last years of my career," the Dane told B.T. "The majority of us riders on the team have been sent left and right to do bike races so we can scrape together some damn points."

All this tension will see Fuglsang's Israel - Premier Tech certainly relegate, with the addition that team owner Sylvan Adams is threatening to sue the UCI over the unanimously agreed UCI rankings, which will see Alpecin-Deceuninck and Arkéa Samsic promote to World Tour under normal circumstances. Fuglsang has a contract until 2024 with the team, however he may pull the plug earlier than that.

"Yes, I'm thinking that it's getting closer," he said, regarding plans on retiring. "But precisely also in relation to whether it is worth riding at a lower level. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'm also away from home a lot," he said. "If you can't take part in the big races anyway, then I will consider whether it's worth it. Then maybe the pension will move closer.'

Asked directly if he may not complete his contract into 2024, he responded: "Yes, it might be. Or I could try to find something else. If we get relegated and I have to lie around and run around to smaller races and do the Tour of Rwanda, then I might say, 'You know what, I've had a good career.' But let's see what happens," Fuglsang concluded.