"The team doesn't really need me": Alexander Kristoff looks ahead to retirement with no regrets

The seeked-after victory was within hand's reach for Alexander Kristoff in the finish of stage 3 of the Tour de Langkawi. However Matteo Malucelli was just moments faster over the line, preventing the experienced Norwegian from adding 99th professional triumph to his palmares. And as the Malaysian stage race is Kristoff's last in his professional career, the time is quickly running out.

At 38 years of age, Kristoff can look back at a career many can be jealous of. With two Monuments, four Tour de France stages and European title, Kristoff's biggest regret must be losing to Peter Sagan at the 2017 World Championships in front of home crowds in Bergen.

"Three years ago, I started thinking about the end of my career," Alexander Kristoff admitted in an interview with Wielerflits before the start of Tour de Langkawi.

After 16 seasons as a pro, Kristoff's career will come to a wrap with an eight-day stage race in Malaysia - perhaps not the most fitting venue for a rider of Kristoff's caliber. Nevertheless he'll try to contribute to his team's effort as much as at any other race. "I prepared as I would for any other race. I haven't thought too much about the end of my career yet, but after the race, it will certainly be strange that it's over."

Before focusing on how much cycling has changed, Kristoff said: "There's a time for everything, and I feel like my time to stop has come. When I signed a long-term contract with Uno-X Mobility in 2022, I always wanted to finish it. But now I'm 38 years old and have several children at home who rightly want their father's attention."

He added: "I also notice that cycling is getting faster and harder. For me, this means fewer good results now, because I can't compete like I used to. Even if I manage to get a good result every now and then, I get it much less often than I used to. Racing is simply less fun then: you have to be willing to take a step back. It's not like the team really needs me."

The truth is, Alexander Kristoff still has a bone to pick: his list of victories as a professional features 98, but he clearly aims to add two more. "It would be fantastic if I could do it. But I'm also realistic: there are a lot of fast guys here. I don't expect to be able to do it. I already have over 100 UCI victories, but 100 as a professional would be even better."

And after retiring from professional cycling? "Maybe I'll return to cycling or the team in a few years, but that's not an immediate possibility. First I want to focus on my family for a while. Then I could become a TV commentator; that would be fantastic."