The 2025 season marks one of the most intense chapters in terms of retirements: a generation of expert riders, protagonists of the major world races for over a decade, are hanging up their bikes. From classic and stage winners in Grand Tours to the most reliable domestiques in the WorldTour, the year ends with an almost epochal turnover.

At 39, Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) concludes a monumental career: winner of the 2018 Tour de France , multiple Grand Tour podium finishers, and one of the most versatile riders of his generation. Born a track cyclist, now a stage racer, Thomas retires from cycling after shaping an era of class, resilience, and uncommon longevity.

Portuguese rider Rui Costa (EF Education–EasyPost), 39, is saying goodbye after a long and decorated career. The 2013 World Champion, a Tour stage winner and several prestigious races, Costa will be remembered for his intelligent, never boring racing style, often capable of turning races around with tactical coolness.

2025 brings nostalgia back to the forefront, even for French fans: Romain Bardet (Team Picnic PostNL), 34, has called it quits midway through the season. Twice a Tour de France podium finisher and winner of memorable Alpine stages, Bardet has represented the French hope in stage races for years, winning over fans and rivals with his climbing prowess and human elegance.

At 39, Michael Woods (Israel–Premier Tech), one of the most surprising stories in modern cycling, is also retiring: a former international middle-distance runner who came late to cycling but managed to establish himself with epic victories, such as the Puy de Dôme stage at the 2023 Tour. An unconventional career, which ended in the spirit of pure passion.

At just 30 years old, 2025 marks the final year of racing for Caleb Ewan (INEOS Grenadiers), one of the most explosive sprinters of his generation. A winner of every Grand Tour and protagonist of some of the most spectacular sprints of the last decade, Ewan leaves a sport shaped by his distinctive aerodynamic position, which has become his recognizable trademark.

With over 19,000 career points , Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X Mobility) is among the giants of modern cycling. Winner of the 2014 Milan–San Remo, the 2015 Tour of Flanders, and countless classics and power sprints, the Norwegian is retiring at 38 after embodying the all-round, stamina-driven, and remarkably enduring rider.

Elia Viviani (Lotto), 36, will also end his career in 2025. An Olympic track champion, a stage winner in the Grand Tours, and a sprinter with exquisite technical skills, his alternating career between track and road has characterized a rich, respected career marked by a high level of professionalism.

Polish rider Rafał Majka (UAE Team Emirates – XRG), 36, is retiring after shaping a generation of climbers. A two-time winner of the Tour de France polka-dot jersey, a key team player in his team's victories, Majka remains one of the most respected elite domestiques of the last decade.

With over 13,000 points and a trophy case that includes two Milan–San Remos and numerous Grand Tour victories, 34-year-old Arnaud Démare (Arkéa–B&B Hotels) is retiring after having been the benchmark for French sprinting. Powerful, consistent, and capable of tactical reinvention, he leaves a significant legacy to his movement.

At 36, Giacomo Nizzolo (Q36.5) also ends a career that saw him win two Giro d'Italia jerseys, as well as a long series of placings and victories on the fastest WorldTour courses. A technical, intelligent, and undaunted sprinter.

Along with these big names, 2025 will see the departure of many other valuable and respected riders: tireless domestiques like Tim Declercq , solid climbers like Louis Meintjes , reliable rouleurs like Jonathan Castroviejo , natural attackers like Alessandro De Marchi and team men like Salvatore Puccio .

And the list could get even longer: several riders still have no contracts for 2026, and it's not out of the question that further announcements of retirement, whether voluntary or forced, could arrive in the coming weeks.

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