"During the Tour de Pologne countdown, retiring cyclist Rafal Majka commends team leader Tadej Pogačar, calling him a formidable rider on the bike"
Rafal Majka Bids Farewell to Cycling, Riding into the Sunset with Pogačar
Rafal Majka, a respected mountain domestique and former Grand Tour contender, has announced his retirement from professional cycling at the end of 2025. His final race will be Il Lombardia, where he will ride alongside Tadej Pogačar one last time.
Throughout his career, Majka has been a trusted support rider for Pogačar, whom he considers the best leader he's worked for. This unique bond between the two riders has been forged through their shared successes, most notably Pogačar's record-equalling fifth victory in Il Lombardia, which will be Majka's farewell race.
Majka's career achievements are numerous. He has ridden in 23 Grand Tours, supporting multiple leaders, including Pogačar in three Tours de France and in Pogačar's Giro d'Italia victory in 2024. His accolades include a third-place finish overall in the Tour of Austria, a bronze medal in the 2016 Olympic road race in Rio, and three stages wins in the Tour de France, with the mountains classification in 2014.
In addition, Majka has won the Polish National Championship twice, most recently in June 2023. However, his weak spot has always been time trials, as evident in the last day of Pologne.
Pologne will be a special race for Majka, not only because he will be racing on home roads, but also because he will receive a send-off. His team effort in Pologne will largely center around seeing how far up-coming Swiss racer Jan Christen and Brandon McNulty can perform.
After Pologne, Majka will continue racing, but specifically through to Il Lombardia. His victory in Il Lombardia in 2014 and his second-place finish in 2017, along with three stage wins, make this race a fitting finale for a career that has spanned over a decade.
Majka joined UAE in 2021 for the last five years of his career. He wants to retire while still at a top level and also while wearing the Polish National Champion's jersey. Knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to open up the throttle, and Majka believes it is wiser for Pogačar to ease back after the Tour this year and not go on to the Vuelta.
As Majka prepares for his retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of dedication, hard work, and team spirit. His final race, Il Lombardia 2025, promises to be a fitting tribute to a career marked by success, resilience, and a unique bond with Tadej Pogačar.
Majka, throughout his career, has often supported Tadej Pogačar in various sports events, such as three Tours de France and Pogačar's Giro d'Italia victory in 2024. Despite struggling with time trials, Majka's final race will be a significant one in the world of cycling sports, Il Lombardia 2025, where he will ride alongside Pogačar one last time.
