Cancellara won’t race worlds as career winds down
Fabian Cancellara is targeting the Olympics next month, but he won't race at the world championships ahead of his retirement.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
LIMOGES, France (VN) — Fabian Cancellara has yet to map out his season farewell, but he won’t be racing at the UCI Road World Championships in Qatar.
“We haven’t decided on the final races of the season yet, but Fabian won’t race the world championships,” Trek – Segafredo manager Luca Guercilena said. “After the Olympics, we will map out the calendar. It’s possible his final race will be the Giro di Lombardia.”
The 35-year-old Swiss superstar is competing in his final Tour de France and will return to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro for what will be the final major goal of his career. The Swiss Olympic road team was confirmed July 1. Cancellara struck gold in the time trial and silver in the road race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Four years later at the London Games, he crashed out of the front group late in the road race.
[related title=”More Fabian Cancellara” align=”left” tag=”Fabian-Cancellara”]
“Fabian will be building his form during this Tour, and he will try to do something later in the race,” Guercilena continued. “He’s here to race, but he won’t he contesting the stages in the first half of the Tour.”
Last year’s Tour ended bitterly for Cancellara, who crashed out in stage 3 while in the yellow jersey.
“It’s not a farewell race,” Cancellara said of his final Tour. “I’m looking for results, so it’s business as usual. It’s nothing special.
“I know what the future is bringing. I’m relaxed, and I am looking forward to racing the next few months. I want to stay healthy, to enjoy some nice things, but also not to finish on the ground again. I hope that doesn’t happen again this year. I want to enjoy my last Tour.”