Thomas De Gendt, the Belgian rider known for his aggressive
racing style and mountain prowess, has officially retired at the age of 37.
Most recently racing for Lotto-Dstny, De Gendt leaves behind an impressive
legacy that includes five Grand Tour stage victories, a win in the mountains
classification at the 2018 Vuelta, and a podium finish at the 2012 Giro
d’Italia.
De Gendt’s final race was the 2024 Vuelta a España, bringing
an end to a career filled with memorable breakaways and daring victories.
Reflecting on his decision to retire, De Gendt spoke to Het Laatste Nieuws
at the Crystal Bicycle gala, admitting that the reality of his retirement has
yet to fully set in.
"For now it still feels like a kind of winter break, I
don't think it will really start to sink in until the new season starts,"
he said. Despite this, he takes pride in his accomplishments. "Do I look
back often? I am proud of what I have achieved, yes. And I am also very happy
that I was able to decide for myself when I would stop. Many riders do not have
that opportunity."
Among his many victories, De Gendt holds a special place for
his 2012 Giro d'Italia win on the Stelvio, a grueling mountain stage that
helped solidify his reputation as one of cycling's most fearless riders. “There
aren't many finishes there. There may have been better victories in terms of
scenarios, but for me the Stelvio stage stands out,” De Gendt said, reminiscing
about the achievement.
He also noted his famous 2016 Tour de France victory on Mont
Ventoux, a stage that remains etched in cycling fans’ memories, in part due to
the chaotic scene where Chris Froome was forced to run up the mountain after a
crash. “The Tour victory on the Mont Ventoux is also memorable of course. The
fact that everyone associates that stage with Chris Froome's jogging session
makes no difference to me.”
As De Gendt steps away from professional cycling, his
achievements across the sport’s toughest races will be remembered for their
audacity, grit, and brilliance. His retirement marks the end of an era for one
of Belgium’s most celebrated modern cyclists.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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