Team Sky rider Kurt-Asle Arvesen has announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Popular Norwegian looking to help next generation
Team Sky rider Kurt-Asle Arvesen is looking to go out with a bang at the Vuelta a Espana after announcing he will retire at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old has decided to bring the curtain down on a 13-year career at the end of the 2011 campaign, and is aiming for one last hurrah in Spain after being named in Team Sky’s squad.
The Norwegian is one of the sport’s most experienced professionals and belongs to an exclusive list of riders to have tasted victory in each of the three Grand Tours. As well as notching up numerous other race victories, Arvesen can also boast an under-23 world championship title to his long list of achievements, as well as six national championship crowns.
Although he has a number of offers on the table for next year, Arvesen wants to concentrate on the Vuelta before finalising his next move, and would love to repay the faith Team Sky have shown in him during the last two seasons.
He told www.teamsky.com: "This is going to be my last Grand Tour so I’m looking forward to it a lot. It’s nice that I’ve been able to get a Grand Tour ride with Team Sky and it’ll be a proud moment for me to represent them on that stage.
“If the chance arises, I would like to get the chance to go for a solo stage win because that is the last goal I have for my career and it would be a perfect way to round things off. Obviously though, at the same time I am happy to honour my obligation to the team."
Options open
Looking further ahead he added: "In terms of what I’m going to do afterwards, there are several options open to me, and I will think it through during the Vuelta and then make my mind up once the race is over. I really want to stay involved in cycling though and help the next generation of riders. I’ve been through a lot in my career so it’d be nice to be able to pass some of that experience on.”
