Netcompany INEOS sees one of its former monument winners retire - "Professional cycling has truly shaped who I am today"
CyclingWednesday, 19 August 2026 at 10:43
Bob Jungels has officially confirmed that he will call time on his legendary career, and will retire from professional cycling at the end of the 2026 season. The INEOS stalwart will finish his career as a Tour de France and Giro d'Italia stage winner, as well as a stellar Liege-Bastogne-Liege victory in 2018.
The 33-years-old brings the curtain down on a career underscored by 27 victories, including 15 elite Luxembourg titles - nine in the time trial and six in the road race. He won a stage at the 2022 Tour and 2018 Giro and raced with marquee teams such as Quickstep and BORA during his career.
Now at INEOS for the past two seasons, his exit marks another blow for the British team as Andrew August and Victor Langelotti have officially left, while several others are rumoured to be leaving the setup.
For Jungels, he looks back on a storied career. He spent a number of days in the Giro's pink jersey on his way to sixth place in 2016. He won the white jersey for best young rider in the race in 2016 and 2017.
Liege victory and Tour de France resurgence
In Liege the following year, he won the Ardennes monument with a solo victory ahead of Romain Bardet and Michael Woods. In 2019, he took a major Belgian win at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, this time finishing ahead of Owain Doull and Niki Terpstra.
After a difficult spell that included surgery for iliac artery endofibrosis in 2021, perhaps one of his biggest victories came the following year as he took a 60 kilometer solo breakaway victory at the Tour de France.
“After 15 years as a professional cyclist, I am officially announcing my retirement from racing at the end of this season,” Jungels said in a statement.
Bob Jungels
Jungels reflects on career
“Reflecting on my career, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the teammates, team staff, family, friends and of course fans who have supported me every kilometre of the way.”
Looking back, Jungels is proud of his achievements at WorldTour as he hinted that he could remain in the world of cycling after his retirement. However, he did not provide any further details on what those ventures may be.
“Professional cycling has truly shaped who I am today,” Jungels said. “I am grateful for the opportunities and proud of what I have achieved on the world stage.”
“I am very excited about what lies ahead. I look forward to sharing these new ventures with you soon.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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Rafionain-Glas19-08-2026 - We also have to read "between the lines. " One of his clauses is "greater control over his race programme." That tells me a lot. Pogi has said on many occasions, that he prefers one day races over stage races. In one day races you give it all you've got, especially if it's a famous one day race like the Monuments or other historical classics, where all the best cyclists show up. No thinkig and calculating about the race that happened yesterday and the race that will be tomorrow or the next day, like in stage races. It's that one day, when you leave your heart on the road. That's what Pogi loves. So my take is: When Pogi will win another 2 to 3 TdF it will be over for him. That's where his clause "greater control over his race programme" will be impemented. That's why he's preparing Del Toro, to take over the Giro, Tour and Vuelta races, and Pogi will concentrate only on one day races in his "old age." He will put on more muscle and weight and race most of the classics. I can hardly wait those days to come!!!PogiSloFans19-08-2026
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- Die for your country? What nonsense Raf! I understand that that is a quote from Wilfred Owens anti war poem but you have used it out of context here.Cyclingsbestfan19-08-2026
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