'Beloved chapter' closes as Tim Declercq announces retirement
The man dubbed as 'El Tractor' has confirmed that he will hang up his wheels at the end of this season after a career spent resolutely in the service of others.
Tim Declercq has announced that he will retire at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on a 14-year professional career. The Belgian had previously indicated that he was likely to finish his career this year after learning that Lidl-Trek could not guarantee him a contract extension.
“After many years of having the privilege to live the life of a professional cyclist, the time has come to close this beloved chapter of my life at the end of this season,” Declercq wrote on Instagram on Thursday.
“Cycling has given me more than I could ever have imagined – unforgettable memories, incredible highs and lows, and friendships that will last a lifetime.
“I want to sincerely thank all the teams I’ve had the honor to ride for, every teammate who stood beside me, the dedicated staff who supported us day in and day out, and above all – my family and especially my wife, Tracey De Bruyne. Your unconditional support, patience, and nightly wake-ups made it all possible.”
Declercq began his professional career at Topsport Vlaanderen–Mercator in 2012 and he became something of a cult figure following his move to QuickStep in 2017, where his long stints at the head of the peloton in support of sprinters like Marcel Kittel and Mark Cavendish earned him the affectionate nickname of ‘El Tractor’ – a moniker first bestowed upon him by the speaker at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina.
Cavendish was among those to pay tribute to Declercq on social media on Thursday afternoon, writing: “Absolute legend mate. Loyal, hard-working and great company. But above all, you love the sport. Proud to have had you a team mate and call you a friend.”
Declercq was also a mainstay of QuickStep’s cobbled Classics unit before moving to Lidl-Trek at the start of the 2024 season. The 37-year-old, who holds a masters degree in physical education, had hinted at retirement during an appearance on Sporza’s ‘Vive Le Vélo’ show earlier this month. “Maybe it's time to end on a high note,” he said.
