Video: Iljo Keisse receives huge tribute in goodbye from pro cycling

Iljo Keisse finished the Six Days of Gent in third position together with Jasper de Buyst, and has called it time on his professional career as a cyclist - a month after saying goodbye to the road. He has received a tribute in his home country in a way that few riders have.

“I want to thank everyone who supported me in my career. It all started here in 't Kuipke for me. About thirty years ago I sat here as a child in the corner watching what happened on the slopes," Keisse told Belga. "It made me dream of becoming a six-day (track, ed.) racer as well. I've come quite a long way to get there. In 2001 the time had come. I rode my first Six Days of Ghent with the pros. I was very last in forty laps. But that was no problem. I was here to learn.”

The 39-year old has been a pro rider already since 2005, and ever since 2010 has been in the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team structure. At Binche - Chimay - Binche he rode with Remco Evenepoel to the finish line in what was his last race on the road. He completed the Belgian event this weekend, receiving a "standing" ovation from his fellow competitors, after having been cheered on the whole week.

“It all happened very quickly after that. In 2005 there was my first win. A dream come true. Then it went even faster. I could even dominate the six-day. Sometimes I put too much pressure on my shoulders," Keisse said. "The public has always supported me. I have to thank them for that. It was always fantastic. I've done my best to give back as much as possible. In recent years, this has become somewhat more difficult. Thanks for everything."

Keisse will however remain in the team structure, having a management role from 2023 with Soudal - Quick-Step, which is set to be presented on the 6th of January in Belgium.