“We’re saying goodbye to a truly outstanding rider” — Bjarne Riis hails retiring Jakob Fuglsang as one of Denmark’s greatest ever

After nearly two decades at the highest level of professional cycling, Jakob Fuglsang has hung up his wheels for the final time following his appearance on Sunday at the Frederiksberg Criterium. As he bows out at the age of 40, tributes have poured in – none more heartfelt or weighty than that of fellow Dane and former Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis.

“Jakob is without a doubt very high on the list of Denmark’s greatest riders,” Riis told Ekstra Bladet. “We’re saying goodbye to a truly outstanding rider. He’s been consistent over many years and delivered some major results.”

The legacy of Fuglsang is one marked not by flamboyance or controversy, but by quiet resilience, versatility, and moments of genuine brilliance. From Grand Tour support roles to Monument victories and Olympic glory, his career reflects the rare evolution from super-domestique to team leader – and, at times, race-winner of the very highest calibre.

Riis, who directed a young Fuglsang during his early years at Team Saxo Bank between 2009 and 2011, recalls a rider of natural class – both on and off the bike. “I’ve always been a huge fan of him – he’s such a cool and elegant rider. And he’s a calm, down-to-earth guy with both feet firmly planted,” Riis said.

Though Fuglsang spent much of his early WorldTour career riding in service of others – notably the Schleck brothers during his Saxo Bank tenure – he gradually carved out his own space in the peloton. His career peak arguably came in the late 2010s, when he added some of the sport’s most prestigious races to his palmarès.

Among his most celebrated achievements are his victories in two of cycling’s five Monuments – Liège–Bastogne–Liège in 2019 and Il Lombardia in 2020. These wins weren’t the result of opportunism or fluke but earned through commanding, tactically astute performances against the strongest fields in the sport.

“Those two Monument wins really stand out,” said Riis. “He’s also won the Criterium du Dauphiné twice and earned an Olympic silver medal – those are huge moments that define a special career.”

Fuglsang’s 2016 Olympic road race silver in Rio, behind Greg Van Avermaet and ahead of Rafal Majka, remains one of Danish cycling’s most iconic podiums on the global stage.

Despite these career highlights, one gap in Fuglsang’s record still stands out – a breakthrough general classification ride at the Tour de France. For several seasons, particularly in the years prior to Jonas Vingegaard’s emergence, Fuglsang was Denmark’s primary GC hope in July, captaining Astana with quiet determination.

His best result came in 2013, when he finished seventh overall – a respectable achievement, but one that left Riis wondering what might have been. “I always hoped he’d get a top result at the Tour,” Riis admitted. “Seventh place is a big achievement, but I truly believe he had the potential to get close to the podium if things had fallen into place.”

“It’s a fantastic cyclist we’re bidding farewell to,” adds Riis. And for Danish cycling fans – and those who’ve followed his quiet brilliance across the European racing calendar – that farewell carries real weight.