David Moncoutie to end his career right after the Vuelta a Espana 2012
David Moncoutie has confirmed that 2012 will be his last appearance at the international sport and he has decided to drop down the curtain on his career right after the Vuelta a Espana 2012.
The cyclist initially decided to end his career at the end of 2011 season but decided to prolong it for one more year. “This time my decision is irrevocable,” he told L’Équipe.
“I let out a little bit of uncertainty after the Tour de l’Ain [in August – ed.] but my decision had really already been taken before the Tour de France. My crash in July only confirmed my choice”.
The Frenchman marked his professional debut with Team Cofidis in 1997 and has shown loyalty with the home team.
He is known for the tremendous climbing skills and is considered as one of the best mountain specialist in the side.
Moncoutie secured an overall victory and a stage 5 win at the Tour Mediterraneen along with a first overall spot at the Tour de I’Ain in the past season.
He won the mountains classifications at the Vuelta a Espana 2011 and also managed to secure the 11th stage of the race.
David’s performance in the current season has been on the downside and his only two commendable efforts in the season include a sixth overall position at the Vuelta Ciclista a la Comunidad de Madrid and a seventh overall spot at the Rhone-Alpes Isere Tour 2012.
“I don’t have great feelings and my legs are struggling to follow. I don’t have the same level as in years gone by,” he said.
“I undoubtedly needed this kind of situation to accept the fact that my time in cycling is done. That’s sport! I’m in decline and you need to accept it. On Sunday evening, I’ll hang up my bike”.
The 37-year-old currently holds the 92nd overall spot after the Vuelta a Espana stage 17 classifications but his main target is the mountains classifications.
He occupies the seventh overall position after the Vuelta a Espana stage 7 classifications with a total number of 18 UCI points to his credit.
Simon Clarke of Team Orica-GreenEdge is leading the category with 38 points while Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver, Thomas De Gendt, Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador and Dario Cataldo occupying the next five positions respectively.
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