'I had no choice': Dylan Teuns retires at 34 as former Tour de France stage winner fails to find new team
Former Flèche Wallonne champion Dylan Teuns has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the age of 34. The Belgian, who won two stages of the Tour de France and claimed 14 professional victories, had hoped to continue racing in 2027 but was unable to secure a new contract after two difficult seasons with Cofidis.
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Dylan Teuns has called time on his professional cycling career, bringing an end to twelve years in the peloton that included some of the biggest victories of his generation.
The 34-year-old confirmed his decision on Thursday evening in an emotional Instagram post, just weeks after admitting that his chances of finding a team for next season were rapidly disappearing.
"What a ride it has been! It is time to say goodbye to the professional peloton," Teuns wrote.
"I look back with immense pride and gratitude on a career in which I was able to fulfill my absolute childhood dreams."
It is an ending Teuns had hoped to avoid. With his contract at Cofidis expiring at the end of 2026, the Belgian had spent the final months of the season searching for an opportunity to extend his career.
Speaking ahead of Il Lombardia earlier this month, he revealed that only one potential deal remained on the table.
"There is still one conversation ongoing, and that is the last one. I'll give it until the end of October, maximum," he told Sporza at the time.
"34 is not the age to stop, but if they force me, there is no other option."
With October drawing to a close and no new contract secured, Teuns has now made his retirement official.
From Tour de France glory to conquering the Mur de Huy
Teuns turned professional with BMC in 2014 and established himself as one of the peloton's most dangerous riders on steep climbs and demanding finishes.
His breakthrough came in 2017, when a remarkable run of form delivered eight victories in a matter of weeks, including overall titles at the Tour de Wallonie, Arctic Race of Norway and Tour de Pologne.
But it was at the Tour de France where he produced two of his most memorable performances.
In 2019, Teuns claimed his first Tour stage victory on La Planche des Belles Filles. Two years later, he struck again in the French Alps, winning a rain-soaked stage to Le Grand-Bornand.
For all his success in France, however, one victory stood above the rest.
At the 2022 Flèche Wallonne, Teuns finally conquered the Mur de Huy, defeating five-time winner Alejandro Valverde on the brutal finishing climb to secure the biggest one-day victory of his career.
"The Flèche Wallonne of course: the realization of my childhood dream," he recalled in his farewell message.
"Winning on the slopes of the Mur de Huy and leaving the 'king of the Ardennes', Alejandro Valverde, behind me... Goosebumps!"
His palmarès extended well beyond those headline victories. Teuns finished third at Il Lombardia in 2018, took sixth at both the Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2022, and narrowly missed the podium at the 2024 Tour of Flanders.
Difficult final seasons leave Teuns without a contract
After spells with BMC, Bahrain Victorious and Israel-Premier Tech, Teuns joined Cofidis in 2025. However, injuries and disappointing results made his final two seasons difficult.
A heavy crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen in 2026, which left him with two pelvic fractures, further complicated matters. Despite showing signs of improvement, Teuns was unable to secure a contract for 2027.
Earlier this month, he admitted he was willing to take on a supporting role to extend his career, but no opportunity materialised.
Teuns retires with 14 professional victories, his last coming at the Tour de Romandie in 2022.
Despite the circumstances, his farewell message was one of gratitude. He thanked his fans, teammates, staff, family and girlfriend for their support throughout his career.
"It is time for a new chapter, but the love for the bike remains forever."
Teuns joins a long list of established riders retiring in 2026, alongside Grand Tour winners Nairo Quintana and Simon Yates, double world champion Julian Alaphilippe and Monument winner Bauke Mollema. Steven Kruijswijk, Pello Bilbao, Magnus Cort and Damiano Caruso are also among the familiar names bidding farewell to the peloton, marking the end of an era for a generation of cycling stars.
