Today, in a video posted on his social media, Rick Zabel announced the end of his professional career as a road cyclist.
After 13 years as a pro, the last four and a half spent with Israel – Premier Tech, Zabel has called time on his career to concentrate on other challenges and spend more time with his family. Paris – Roubaix was his last race with IPT, where he was met in the Roubaix velodrome by his wife Leonie and sons Oscar and Fritz. He will bid farewell to road cycling at Rund Um Köln, in his hometown of Cologne, with the German National Team.
“After 13 years as an active professional cyclist, this journey ends this year,” Zabel explains. “On May 26, at Rund Um Köln, I will ride my last race as a professional cyclist. It was an incredibly cool time. I’m proud of my career, happy for all the things I was able to experience, the people I was able to meet. I can’t wait to put on my jersey and bib shorts one last time and truly race a bike in my home race around Cologne. And after that, a new life begins for me which I am also excited about.
“For me, it’s time to move on. I am happy with my decision and I’m looking forward to all the new adventures and challenges that are yet to come. Of course, I also hope that I will remain a part of the cycling family in other roles and capacities. It was an amazing time. Thank you all. Yours, Rick.”
Having sat down with IPT management following Paris – Roubaix to discuss his next steps, Zabel and the team mutually agreed to end his contract prematurely. “Rick can be proud of all he has achieved in his long career,” added IPT General Manager Kjell Carlström. “Rick has been able to end his career on his own terms and I have no doubt he will thrive in his next chapter. I want to thank Rick for being an integral part of the team over the last four and a half years, both in his role as a teammate and the fun he brought to the team. Thank you, Rick.”
