After 15 years competing in professional cycling Yaroslav Popovych has officially announced his retirement Monday, one day after competing in his final Paris-Roubaix.
Popovych, 36, will not be leaving Trek-Segafredo, but rather changing responsibilities as he jumps into the role of Directeur Sportif for the team.
“It will be quite the adaptation for me,” said Popovych. “From the bike to the director’s car. I love driving cars, but that’s not the same as driving for 5 hours at 40kmh! It may be challenging to work with the athletes I rode with until yesterday, but I’m ready for it.
“It’s a beautiful opportunity. It’s something that’s been on my mind for some time now, although in a way unexpected as the team only approached me about this last winter and made me this offer to ride until Paris-Roubaix. I have always known I’d stay involved in cycling. And this is perfect: to remain with the same group of people.”
General Manager Luca Guercilena: “Popo is one of the most respectful riders in the peloton, and his experience will be gold for the team’s future riders. It is a pleasure to have him in the sport managers group, and he will have time to learn a new job and become a good DS, just as he was a great team player.”
Popovych: “I am absolutely satisfied with my career. This is the right decision. Sometimes in life, you have to make big decisions like this. Becoming a gregario was another one of those. Yes, I won some big races as a young rider, the U23 World title in Lisbon was my highlight, and I am proud of what I have accomplished.”
“Some people will say that I should have won more, but I made my choices. It’s my life. I won a lot with the leaders I worked for. I would even argue that the TTT’s that we’ve won over the years are the things I’m most proud about.”
Popovch has popped!
Wow !
poop dopo popo
Good luck Popo! @yaropopovych