After 18 seasons as a professional cyclist, charismatic German rider Jens Voigt told his legs to shut up for the last time at the 2014 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. European Correspondent James Startt shares some of Voigt’s most memorable moments.
Remembering His Roots
Voigt stands besides the remains of the Berlin Wall on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall. To this day Voigt credits his formative years growing up in former East Germany with providing with him the values needed to be a tireless worker and faithful team player.
Voigt’s Victorious 2005
2005 proved to be one of Voigt’s most impressive seasons. Shown here winning the prologue of the Paris-Nice race, Voigt won top early-season races like the Tour of the Mediterranean and continued into the spring Classics, finishing second in the prestigious Liège-Bastogne Liège.
Related: Jens Voigt’s “Ugly” Riding Style
In Yellow, Again
In addition to his many other successes in 2005, Voigt captured the Tour de France yellow jersey for the second time in his career. When asked in the post-race press conference how long he expected to keep the prestigious jersey, he answered in what can only be described as vintage Voigt, saying, “I’m pretty sure I can keep it tomorrow on the rest day!”
Related: Sexiest Men of the Tour: Jens Voigt
Back to School
Voigt stands in front of his dormitory in what was once the Ernst Grube Sports School in Berlin. Voigt qualified for entrance to the school at the age of 14 and studied there until age 18, when the Berlin Wall fell.
A Much-Needed Win
Voigt savors a poignant stage victory during the 2006 Tour de France. With his teammate Ivan Basso expelled from the race before the start, Voigt’s victory salvaged hopes within his CSC team.
Related: Jens Voigt’s Secrets to Success
Voigt’s Worst Crash
Although Voigt had his share of crashes during his 18-year professional career, none was worse than the one he suffered during the 2009 Tour de France, where he needed to be evacuated by helicopter.
Jens Voigt, Domestique
Voigt relaxes with his longtime friends and teammates Frank and Andy Schleck during the Tour of the Basque Country early into the 2011. With his tireless support, both riders finished on the podium of Tour de France that year.
Related: Jens Interviews the Schlecks
Saluting the Tour
Knowing his remaining time as a professional was limited, Voigt could often be found on the attack during the final stage of the Tour de France in recent years. One of his strongest attacks came at the end of the 2012 Tour, where he saluted the race by riding off the front for several laps on the historic Champs-Elysées.
Related: Jens Voigt on Attacking With Confidence
Inside the Bus
A quiet moment with longtime teammate Andy Schleck before the start of Stage 14 during the 2013 Tour de France.
Related: A Day in the Life of Jens Voigt
Charging Up the Alpe
During his long goodbye to the Tour de France, Voigt powered up Alpe d’Huez in front of the pack during the 2013 Tour. He did not know then that there would be one more Tour still to come!
Related: My Very, Very Probably Last Tour de France
Ready to Retire—for Real
Voigt reflects for a moment in what would “most probably maybe” be his last season during the Trek Factory Racing season launch in January of 2014. By the end of the season the “most probably maybe” became simply “most definitely” for the 42-year old.
Related: My Most Definitely Very Last Tour de France
The Tour Says “Thanks”
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme pays a personal homage to Voigt at the start of Stage 14 of the 2014 Tour. Race organizers presented Voigt with six yellow jerseys, sized to fit each of his children.
Related: Jens Voigt’s Trek Madone 7
Jens Voigt, International Superstar
Throughout the 2014 Tour de France fans lined the race route to honor Voigt. This banner made by Norwegian spectators pretty much sums up the impact he had on tifosi around the world.
Matteo Jorgenson Wins Dwars door Vlaanderen
Wout van Aert Crashes at Dwars door Vlaanderen
Puck Pieterse Eyes Victory at Tour of Flanders
Egan Bernal Takes Third Place at Volta a Catalunya