Maxime Bouet to retire from the pelotons at the end of 2023
After sixteen seasons in the professional ranks, Maxime Bouet will call time on his career as a professional cyclist at the end of this financial year.
The words of Maxime Bouet, who will retire at the end of 2023 after 16 seasons in the pros
“16 years in the pros is obviously a long time. But on the other hand, paradoxically, it goes by very, very quickly. Personally, I feel like I’ve only done half of it. This longevity is my personal success. I’ve had a long slice of life in the professional peloton, being at the highest level of our sport for almost two decades. I stood my ground, gritted my teeth in certain situations, and enjoyed the good times even though I knew they would be fleeting. That’s the way it is, that’s the law of cycling. But I’ve enjoyed everything during my career: the joys as well as the sorrows. These two feelings allow you to grow and move forward. They’re inseparable. I hope to leave a small mark in the history of my sport: that of a polite rider with values. In a way, cycling has been my school of life in terms of education and values. Cycling made me the man I am today. That’s what I want to pass on to my children: hard work, surpassing yourself and never giving up. I’m also proud to be ending my career with the same General Manager with whom I began my career: Emmanuel Hubert. I owe my entire professional career to him. It was out of the question for me to say my last words with a team other than his.
His end-of-season programme
– Vuelta a Castilla y Leon (26-27 July)
– Tour of Aln (31 July to 2 August)
– Tour of Limousin (15-18 August)
– Tour of Luxembourg (20-24 September)
– Tre Valli Varesine (3 October)
– Gran Piemonte (5 October)
– Il Lombardia (7 October)
The words of Emmanuel Hubert
General Manager of the Arkea-Samsic team
“Maxime Bouet is a rider who is linked to my career as a manager of professional cycling teams. We didn’t spend our entire career together – he as a rider, me as a manager – but we came close. It was I who gave him his chance. I remember it like it was yesterday, on the Tour de l’Ain. A race very dear to his heart. I almost immediately got him to sign his first professional contract.
Maxime is all smiles and constant good humour. He’s a well-mannered, easy-going person. This year he’ll be making his last few starts in the pros, and I hope he makes the most of them. A serious lad with great values, this rider has been an important part of the squad I’ve managed. I’d simply like to thank him for everything he embodies and represents.