Tour de France - Geschke and his last big loop before cycling retirement
Simon Geschke, the soon-to-be retired bike racer from Freiburg, looks relaxed about his last participation in the Tour de France. "I'm going to the Tour very relaxed. Nobody expects great performances from me at the age of 38," the German cycling professional told the German Press Agency. This will be his twelfth time racing in the Grand Loop. The 111th edition of the French national tour starts this Saturday in Florence.
One more time to feel the wind in the Pyrenees, enjoy the Alpine panorama, and then cross the finish line at the Côte d'Azur, healthy and happy after three weeks: Geschke wants to soak up everything around him once more - and above all, "stay injury-free."
However, it won't be just a fun ride. "I want to show a performance similar to what I did at the Giro," he clarified. "It shouldn't just be a farewell tour." Geschke, who retires at the end of the year, is planned to help his teammates. However, he will also have some freedom for breakaway groups.
Strong performance at the Giro
In May, the pro rode strongly in Italy and made it clear what was still in him. After wearing the mountain jersey for a short time as a stand-in for the overpowering Dominant and later Giro winner Tadej Pogacar, he celebrated 14th place in the general classification in Rome. It was his best result at the three major tours, the Tour, Giro, and Spanish Vuelta. The German cycling world reacted with much praise. Ex-pro Fabian Wegmann described him in the "CyclingMagazine" podcast as "super strong until the end."
At first, Geschke only wanted to focus on the Giro. Now he's racing both energy-sapping Grand Tour races. But he's fit. "I didn't beg to be allowed to race this year, but I've really wanted it," he said. He lines up as the fourth oldest rider in the race. Cavendish, who is approximately 39 years old and aims to take the sole Etappensieg record of the race, is ahead of him.
Strong memories with the French Tour
The native Berliner Geschke has great sporting successes associated with the French Tour. "The stage win at the 2015 Tour was my greatest moment as a rider," he still gushes. It was supposed to be his only one at the biggest cycling event in the world. But there was another big throw: in 2022, he surprisingly led the mountain classification for a long time and wore the legendary striped jersey on the final podium stage in Paris. However, he was then only a stand-in for the later winner Jonas Vingegaard.
Bad memories from the previous year
The completely drained bike racer struggled at the 17th Tour stage high up on the Courchevel airfield last year. He made it just in time before the time limit. The following day, the sick Geschke had to retire.
Now he wants to say a proper "Au Revoir." With the start in Florence, he will participate in the Tour for the 20th time, making him, from a German perspective, the fifth cyclist to do so, after Erik Zabel, Tony Martin, Jens Voigt, and Christian Knees. Voigt alone managed 17 participations in the Tour.
The chances of the eight German racing drivers (including Geschke) for a stage victory are rather low in his opinion. "It would be a surprise regarding the escape groups," said Geschke. Perhaps he still gets a chance for a tour surprise. One last time.
- Geschke mentioned that he wants to enjoy the Pyrenees and finish at the Côte d'Azur in France during his final Tour de France participation.
- The German Press Agency reported that Geschke, a professional cyclist from Freiburg, will participate in his twelfth Tour de France, which starts this Saturday in Florence, Italy.
- Despite retiring at the end of the year, Geschke intends to help his teammates and also have some freedom for breakaway groups during the Tour de France.
- Europe's leading sports newspaper, "CyclingMagazine," praised Geschke's performance at the Giro d'Italia, where he finished 14th in the general classification and wore the mountain jersey as a stand-in for the overall winner, Tadej Pogacar.
- Geschke celebrated significant milestones in the French Tour de France, including a stage victory in 2015 and becoming the leader of the mountain classification in 2022 despite being a stand-in for the eventual winner, Jonas Vingegaard.
- The German cycling professional intends to say a proper "Au Revoir" as he participates in the Tour de France for the 20th time, making him one of the five most experienced German racers in the event, following in the footsteps of Erik Zabel, Tony Martin, Jens Voigt, and Christian Knees.
