It is a tradition that during the rest days of Grand Tours there are riders announcing their retirement from the sport and that is no exception during this Giro d'Italia. Jonathan Castroviejo and Simon Clarke, who have multiple Grand Tour victories amongst them, have revealed the dates in which they'll end their careers.
"I want share with you a resolution that I made some time ago. I believe the end of the season is the right moment for me to stop racing as a professional cyclist," Castroviejo said in a post shared on social media. "After years of commitment, effort and passion on the bike, it's the moment to bring this important chapter of my life to a close and open new ones. These years at the top level of the sport wouldn't have been feasible without the continued support of my wife and children, and also from my parents".
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Castroviejo, a now reliable and experienced domestique for INEOS Grenadiers from way back in 2018, is one of the rider that has been most often seen in Grand Tours, often working for his team. This Giro is his 20th, and whilst he's never managed to win a stage in one of the Grand Tours he has finished second at least once in every one of them. Over the course of his career however, the 38-year old did become Spanish time-trial national champion a total of six times, and in 2016 he was European Champion in the discipline.
"They have helped me in every pedal stroke, in every injury, in every success. I want to thank my friends, who were always present and ready to hold my back, and also my teams, that gave me a chance to grow, race and make dreams become true. Cycling has given me everything: learnings, friendships, challenges and memories that I will forever carry in my heart - a heart full of gratitude. Thanks for your company in this new phase of my life."
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Joining him is Israel - Premier Tech's Simon Clarke. "After 17 unforgettable seasons in the pro peloton, I would like to announce my retirement from professional cycling," Clarke shared. "It's hard to put into words what this sport has meant to me. I left Australia at just 16 years old with a dream to make it in Europe as a cyclist. I had no guarantees, just a deep love for the sport and a determination to chase something bigger. That decision changed my life".
"Over the years, I've had the privilege of racing on the world's biggest stages, standing on podiums, supporting teammates, and being part of some truly special moments in the sport. I'm incredibly proud of what I've achieved. Not just the results, but the relationships, experiences, and lessons along the way".
Clarke, now 38, began his pro career in 2006 but perhaps his biggest success came in the latter part of his career. Winner of the Herald Sun Tour, two stages and a KOM jersey at the Vuelta a España, but it was in 2022 that he won a stage at the Tour de France, winning from a breakaway on a day where the peloton went through the cobbled roads of northern France. He will race for the last time at next year's Australian calendar.
"In 2011, I met my wonderful wife, a moment that has defined my life even more than any race. Together, we now have two amazing children, and as I look ahead, I'm excited for more time with them and for whatever the next chapter brings."
"Cycling has given me so much, and I'll always be grateful for the journey. There's no better way to close this chapter than racing at home, in front of family, friends, and Aussie fans who've supported me from the very beginning so I'm excited to share that my final races as a professional will be the Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race next January with IPT."
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After 17 years in the pro peloton, @simoclarke is set to call time on his career. But not before one final hit out on home soil at the Australian races in January, 2026.
— Israel – Premier Tech (@IsraelPremTech) May 26, 2025
An Aussie legend of the sport, Simon has called IPT home for the last four years, during which time he not… pic.twitter.com/XGa2eWjOSl
Hoy quiero compartir una decisión que tenía pensada hace tiempo, pero que siento que es el momento correcto: me retiro del ciclismo. pic.twitter.com/o8BPKTWq2S
— Jonathan Castroviejo (@jcastroviejo) May 26, 2025
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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