Mikaël Cherel will bring down the curtain on his cycling career at Vuelta

Mikaël Cherel, professional cyclist since 2007 and with the AG2R Citroën team since 2011, will end his career at the end of the Vuelta a Espana on September 17 after giving his farewell to home roads at La Polynormande this Sunday.

"After seventeen professional seasons, it's time for me to stop. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but I'd rather finish in good physical shape than go back for another year. I feel I've gone as far as I can. I've made the most of what I could bring to the team during my career. When I look back, it's a lot of work, a lot of emotion and a lot of unforgettable memories. I've always been deeply passionate about this sport."

"Since 2007, I've been racing with my heart. This career has been a tremendous human adventure, punctuated by many wonderful encounters. And that's what I'll remember most. I'm proud of how far I've come, even if there hasn't been a victory. I've got 22 days of racing left, and I want to stay focused until the end of the Vuelta a España in Madrid, where I'll finish my career."

"I'll be racing for the last time in France at La Polynormande, in front of my family and friends. I haven't taken part since 2013, when I finished fifth. I've wanted to go there since the beginning of the year. It's a great joy to be back on this circuit, just two kilometers from where I grew up. I won the La Polynormande cadet race in 2002, twenty-one years ago. It's a powerful symbol for me. The Tour de Pologne got me back on track, and I'm counting on being fresh enough to enjoy myself on Sunday in Normandy, and then in Spain. I'm highly motivated."