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Simone Giuliani

'Starting from nothing and finding my own way' – Louis Meintjes reflects on 13 years of racing after waving goodbye at Il Lombardia

Louis Meintjes Il Lombardia South Africa
COMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 11: Louis Meintjes of South Africa and Team Intermarche - Wanty honored in his farewell and last race as a professional cyclist prior to the 119th Il Lombardia 2025 a 241km one day race from Como to Bergamo on October 11, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images).

After 13 years as a professional cyclist, Louis Meintjes officially bowed out at Il Lombardia on Saturday, ready to move on to the next chapter at 33. While he can look back with pride, he is now ready to shift his focus to a new role: fatherhood.

The rider who in 2013 became the first ever African cyclist to capture a medal at the Road World Championships when he snared silver in the U23 men's road race has spent the past five seasons with Intermarché-Wanty, in that time collecting a Vuelta a España stage win, runner-up spots in both Giro d'Italia and Tour de France stages, along with two of his three top ten GC finishes at the French Grand Tour.

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