"My father's bicycle consists of two wheels, approximately of size 200"
Rick Zabel, a former German professional cyclist, recently returned from Paris. Born on December 7, 1993, in Unna, Germany, Zabel began his WorldTour career in 2014 with Team BMC and competed in his first Grand Tour at the Giro d’Italia in 2015.
During his career, Zabel achieved his first elite international victory with a sprint stage win in the Tour of Austria in 2015. He joined Team Katusha Alpecin in 2017 and made his Tour de France debut the same year. However, his 2017 Tour de France was cut short due to a ligament injury in the opening time trial and a crash in the following stage. In 2018, he again participated in the Tour de France but was forced to abandon on a mountain stage after missing the time cut. He ended his professional career in May 2024.
Since retiring, Zabel has transitioned to roles in media, including commentary and podcasting related to cycling. His father, Erik Zabel, a famous German cycling legend, is known for his sprinting prowess. The father-son duo shares a unique bond, but details about their personal relationship are not extensively documented.
In contrast, the 2021 Tour de France saw a new German cycling star emerge. Florian Lipowitz, a German cyclist, finished third in this year's Tour de France, a remarkable achievement for the young athlete. Lipowitz is considered a rising star in the cycling world, with the potential to compete at the world's top level.
Interestingly, Rick Zabel's time as a cyclist under his father's coaching was not an easy journey. Despite this, Rick has found a new passion and will appear on Silvia's show this Sunday to discuss his post-cycling life and future endeavours.
It's worth noting that while Rick Zabel currently owns only two bikes, his father, Erik Zabel, is known to have around 200 bikes, a testament to his lifelong love for cycling.
[1] Wikipedia: Rick Zabel [2] Deutsche Welle: Rick Zabel [3] Cycling Weekly: Rick Zabel
Following his retirement from cycling, Rick Zabel has shown an interest in football, often seen supporting his favorite team during matches. In a surprising twist, it was reported that he has joined a local football club as a hobby, aiming to keep up with his sports passion. [1] [2] [3]
