Gert Steegmans will end his 12-year cycling career with immediate effect despite having a contract with Trek Factory Racing until the end of the season. Steegmans joined Trek at the start of the season, after he failed to secure a new contract with Etixx-QuickStep, and was set to play a key role for Fabian Cancellara at the Classics.
The Classics proved a tumultuous affair for Trek when Cancellara ultimately crashed out during E3 Harelbeke. Steegmans suffered a several crashes throughout the spring campaign, most notably at Gent-Wevelgem where he was blown into a river during the terrible conditions. He hit the deck again at the Three days of De Panne and was unable to compete at the Tour of Flanders. Steegmans last competed at the Belgian national championships at the end of June.
“I have been playing with the thought of retirement since my crash in Driedaagse De Panne, when I ended up in an ambulance for the second time in three days. Then I was a week off the bike and started in Paris-Roubaix, which ended in another crash for me,” said Steegmans.
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“One year ago I also considered retiring, but then Trek came along. I am thankful to Luca (Guercilena) for the chance he gave me last winter. He gave me an opportunity when I found myself without a team and I was hungry for a ride. I was brought in to add strength to the Classics team and to watch over the young sprinters in the team - and I was very motivated to do well and prove my value.”
He has predominantly ridden for Belgian teams, turning professional in 2003 with Lotto-Domo and spending two stints with QuickStep. His biggest successes came early on with two stage wins at the Tour de France, including a prestigious win on the Champs Élysées.
Steegmans was set to move to Tinkoff Credit Systems in 2009 but the team folded and he spent the year riding with Katusha. He hit the headlines that season when he refused to sign an anti-doping charter which resulted in the team not selecting him for the Tour de France and his contract was dissolved that August. Steegmans moved to RadioShack for the following season before returning to QuickStep in 2011.
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