Tony Gallopin will retire at the end of the season. The 35-year old Frenchman started his professional career 2010 with Cofidis, won Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa in 2013, wore Maillot Jaune and won a stage at both; Tour de France and La Vuelta.
"Retirement was something I had in my mind already last winter. Everything was a bit harder in training. I didn’t make the decision then, but I started to think about it. Then, after the Classics I made a lot of sacrifices and I saw that I can still physically be at a good level, but mentally it was really hard. I had a discussion with the Team and also my family and friends. The decision became quite simple. It's already been a long career so I’m ready to move on."
"I still want to finish the season à bloc! Firstly, I am super happy to be here at the Tour, that was a big goal for me. I made a lot of sacrifices, and I knew that it would be for the final time. My last race will be Paris-Tours. It’s my home race and always special for me to be there because as a child I would go there to watch the stars like Jacky Durant and Richard Virenque and in 2008 I won the U23 edition. That’s why I want to finish there."
"This year when I left home I realized that this is my eleventh Tour de France. It’s been amazing to do all the biggest races in the world. I don’t have any regrets, but a challenge I missed out on was to win a stage in each Grand Tour – I came close in the Giro with a second place. Also, I fought a lot to win the French championship which I didn’t manage. But, at the end of the day, when I became professional I never believed that I would achieve so much so I can say I have absolutely no regrets and I can say I’m quite proud of what I did."
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