Geert Verheyen ‘team-less’ after 18 years of professional experience
Belgian cyclist, Geert Verheyen has decided to put an end to his long professional career. Unfortunately, he could not secure a contract for the coming season and was, therefore, forced to announce his retirement by the end of 2011.
The 38-year-old started racing professionally in 1994 with Team Vlaanderen 2002 and spent a period of four years with the team.
He then stayed with Team Lotto for three years and moved to Rabobank from 2001-02.
Verheyen spent one year each with Marlux-Wincor-Nixdorf (2003), Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf (2004) and Landbouwkrediet-Colnago (2005).
He rode for Team Quick Step for two years, 2006-07, and a year for Mitsubishi-Jartazi (2008).
His final cycling home was with Team Landbouwkrediet-Colnago, he joined the Belgian squad in 2009.
The cyclist stayed with the team for a period of three years but could not secure a contract for 2012.
Some of his career highlights include his overall win at the GP de Lillers and his first place finish at the Mere Belgium in 1998.
He secured the stage 4 of Circuit Franco in 2003 and became the Belgian National Road Race Champion in 2004.
Verheyen stated on his website that he found out in October that the team had decided not to renew his contract.
The cyclist also mentioned that the team’s management had promised him earlier on that he will be included in the 2012 roster.
Verheyen tried his luck with other teams but could not find any place as most of the teams were already full by the time he heard the news.
It reads on his website as, “These are difficult moments for Geert. Mentally he was not ready to quit. He closed this chapter rather differently. Who knows, perhaps we will see him sometimes reappear in a different job in the cycling peloton”.
Geert’s name came up in doping allegations once, for being tested positive for an allergy product at the Ster Elektrotour.
He was in danger of receiving a two-year ban but was lucky to get away as the Belgian federation dismissed the charges.
It will be interesting to see if the Belgian star joins any continental team, as for now he has announced his retirement from all forms of the sport.
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