Sebastien Reichenbach Forced into Retirement: “It’s Not the End I Had Imagined”

Swiss cyclist Sebastien Reichenbach has been forced into early retirement following an unfortunate training crash. The 35-year-old, who had planned to make his final race appearance at the Italian monument Il Lombardia on October 12th, 2024, will now miss the race due to injury, marking the end of his career earlier than expected.

Reichenbach, who rides for Tudor Pro Cycling, suffered a broken collarbone during a training ride on Monday. The injury, which required surgery, brings a premature close to his season and ultimately his career. This unfortunate turn of events means the Swiss rider will not be able to finish his professional journey as he had hoped.

As reported by Le Nouvelliste, Reichenbach expressed his disappointment after the crash, saying, “I slipped on the asphalt. My right collarbone took all the impact. I have no other scratches. It’s not the end of my career that I had imagined… It’s a bit sad, but we don’t choose. At the same time, if it had to happen, it might as well have been closer to home than abroad.”

Reichenbach's career has been defined by his steady presence in the pro peloton, highlighted by his 2019 victory as the Swiss National Champion. While his final race may not have gone as planned, his contributions to Swiss cycling and his long career will be fondly remembered.