One of the best leadoutmen of the recent years Michael Morkov will retire at the end of 2024

Michael Morkov will retire at the end of 2024. Now this doesn't come as a complete surprise because as we know, the 39-year-old only joined Astana Qazaqstan ahead of this season with the aim to break the Tour de France stage victories record with Mark Cavendish. As this has been accomplished, there isn't much more to achieve for the experienced Dane anymore.

"Hello, all cycling friends. I want to share with you that I have decided that this year 2024 will be my last year as a professional bike rider," said Mørkøv in a video released by Astana.

"I'm very proud of what I've achieved as a track cyclist, as a road cyclist, being a part of the biggest races in the world, being a part of some of the biggest teams as well. Being surrounded by great teammates and I’ve made a lot of friendships during the years."

"I'm very proud of what I got out of my talent, to be honest," he said. "I was never the most talented rider as a young rider, but I really managed to work really hard, and I feel I achieved all what I could achieve."

On the road, Mørkøv also had a modest success as a three-time Danish champion and Vuelta a Espana stage winner from 2013. But the Dane became mainly recognized as one of the world's best leadout riders in the later years of his career. After all, Cavendish himself owes much of his record to the cooperation with Mørkøv.

"I have to say that I have enjoyed this Tour much more than any other Tour because I really try to soak everything to me - the experience with Cav, taking an early decision, it just makes me enjoy this season a lot," said Mørkøv.

"Of course, I have a lot of big goals to achieve still in this Tour de France, at the Olympic Games, at the World Championships on the track in Ballerup in October," Mørkøv concluded. "But maybe it will only be at my very last race in Copenhagen that it will strike me that now it will really be the last time that I pin on my numbers."