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Owner of 12 professional victories, including one stage win each; Tour de France (2017) and Vuelta a Espana (2016), Lilian Calmejane has decided to close the curtain on his cycling career. Calmejane, once a candidate for French cycling, had a good career, but after the Corona epidemic he was unable to regain the momentum he once had.
“In life there are chapters that are more or less exciting. The chapter I started writing when I arrived at Vendée U at the end of 2013 intoxicated me from the first lines. The ending, because yes, every chapter ends, is more boring” but not without taste.
“To be honest, open and transparent, I can no longer find my place in the World Tour peloton,” admits Calmejane. “Of course cycling has changed radically in a few years, but I would like to say that my vision of cycling at the highest level has changed. For the past few years I have felt cramped and less fulfilled. My results, or rather my performances, no longer satisfy me.
“As a child, I never imagined for a second that I would become a professional cyclist and certainly not that I would win stages in the major tours and especially the Tour de France. My dreams were realized very early in my career. This certainly didn’t do me any favors when it comes to the motivation to have a more comprehensive track record. However, I am very proud of what I have achieved and the resilience I have shown, particularly over the last four seasons.
Finally, Calmejane hints that we will hear his name again soon, as he certainly has no plans to give up cycling for good. “As you will have understood, I am happy and relieved to close this chapter and look forward to starting a new one. My appetite is huge and I plan to make my dreams come true, accompanied by my loved ones and the people I love,” he concludes.
