Maarten Wynants will retire as a professional cyclist in 2021. The oldest Belgian professional (38) still defends the colors of Team Jumbo-Visma up to and including the spring classics, after which he exchanges the bicycle for the team leader’s car.
“Paris-Roubaix will be my last race. In principle, this was also possible in October this year in October, but I want to say goodbye after a normal, full spring, ”he tells Het Nieuwsblad. He is ambitious for his latest entry in the Hell classic. “I want to lead Wout van Aert or a team mate to victory,” it sounds.
Wynants initially planned to quit at the end of this season, but the corona pandemic forced him to change his plans. He now extends his contract with Jumbo-Visma by two years. In addition, he is still cycling for six months with the WorldTour team, before continuing his career as a team leader with the training team. “I will first play my role as a road captain by bicycle,” says Wynants. “Afterwards, I intend to learn the profession as a team leader with the training team and so I can continue to grow.”
Wynants leaves with the team on July 7 for a two-week internship to the Austrian Zillertal. He resumes his season in Strade Bianche, before starting the Czech Cycling Tour.
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