In an interview with L’Equipe, Thomas Voeckler said that he will finish his career at the end of next year’s Tour de France on July 23. The 37 year-old Direct Energie rider announced his decision on Thursday.
“The Tour has given me everything, so I will stop where it all started,” said Voeckler who wore the yellow jersey in the 2004 and 2011 Tours.
He said that the decision wasn’t easy but that “one day it occurred to me as obvious,” he said. “You do one last Tour and you stop.”
In addition to wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour, Voeckler has also won numerous stage races including the Tour de Luxembourg (2003), Four Days of Dunkirk (2011) and the Tour de Yorkshire (2016)
Amongst his one-day wins are the French National Road Race Championships (2004, 2010), GP Ouest-France (2007), GP de Québec (2010) and Brabantse Pijl (2012).
Voeckler’s current season hasn’t yet finished as he’s due to line up in the Tour de Vendée (2 October) and Paris-Tours (9 October).
Now that’s a shame, he always pulls the best faces in the Peloton.
Tommy, you’ll be missed from the peloton, your boundless spirit & energy, one of the great characterters. Enjoy your retirement.
No way 🙁
🙁
Let’s hope he goes out with a bang and not a whimper. He always had a way of putting on a good show during the TdF.