Svein Tuft: “I think this will be my last year and last Giro”
Canadian hard man tells cycling site he's most likely to retire at end of 2018
On Thursday Mitchelton-Scott released its official line up for the Giro d’Italia, which starts next week in Jerusalem, Israel, with Canadian vet Svein Tuft, racing this week in the Tour de Romandie, getting the nod to start. On Wednesday Tuft indicated to Cyclingnews that he might be riding his final professional year and thus heading to his last Giro.
Tuft told the website: “I haven’t said it 100 per cent but I think this will be my last year and my last Giro d’Italia. I’ve been doing this a long time now, so that’s a bit daunting to think about as it’s been a big part of my life, but I’m also excited about part two. I have a son, he’s six months old, and there’s real importance in that. It’s more than racing.”
Tuft’s inclusion in the first Grand Tour of the year means that there will be three Canadians lining up in Jerusalem on May 4. Guillaume Boivin was confirmed last week by his Israel Cycling Academy squad. Boivin will be making his Giro debut; he rode the 2013 and 2014 Vuelta a España with Cannondale. Michael Woods, coming off the greatest achievement of his career at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, will be EF-Drapac’s protected rider.
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At 40-years-old, and about to turn 41 on May 9, Tuft is the oldest WorldTour rider. He started his pro career in 2001 with Mercury-Viatel, a squad that included compatriot Gord Fraser. Tuft has raced for Prime Alliance, Symmetrics, Garmin, and Spidertech and is one of the original members of Mitchelton-Scott, back when it started out as Orica-GreenEdge in 2012.
Tuft memorably wore the pink jersey the day after his outfit won the 2014 Giro’s team time trial opener in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on his birthday. He also was the first North American to win the prestigious lanterne rouge after finishing last in the 2013 Tour de France.
This Giro d’Italia will be his 13th Grand Tour and seventh Giro. Tuft will be looking after the interests of Mitchelton-Scott’s Colombian GC hopeful Esteban Chaves.
