As the youth movement has taken over international cyclocross, one rider who defied the trend was Kevin Pauwels. As young stars such as Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have taken over international cyclocross, Pauwels—born in 1984—competed at the front of races against riders a decade his junior.
Against that backdrop, the Sluitingsprijs Oostmalle race in two weeks will mark the end of an era when Pauwels races his last race.
Yesterday, Pauwels made the decision to retire from the sport after a 13-year Elite career.
Saying goodbye to an icon of our team! Kevin Pauwels decided yesterday evening to end his cycling career. In two weeks, he will be racing his very last cyclocross in Oostmalle! #MerciKevin #EndOfAnEra 📸 https://t.co/D5Ck2KCrLK pic.twitter.com/WrC558fpDo
— Marlux-Bingoal (@MAR_BG_CT) February 11, 2019
Pauwels leaves an impressive legacy in the sport. He won the Junior World Championships in 2002 and U23 World Championships in 2004. He finished third at Elite Worlds five times, most recently at Bieles in 2017, and he won the World Cup overall twice in 2011-12 and 2014-15.
He took third in 2016 in Iowa City at the Jingle Cross World Cup.
Wout van Aert and Laurens Sweeck are all smiles with their second-straight World Cup podium, joined by Kevin Pauwels. 2016 Jingle Cross cyclocross festival. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Pauwels has also been a favorite among U.S. cyclocross fans, and a few seasons ago, he became well-known for his “Keventh” place finishes on the podium behind Van der Poel and Van Aert.
If working in the sport of cyclocross is not in Pauwels’ future, at least he may have a budding rap career to fall back on.
Kevin Pauwels finished Keventh at Bieles Worlds in 2017. Elite Men. 2017 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, Bieles, Luxembourg. © C. Jobb / Cyclocross Magazine
After his third-place finish at Bieles, Pauwels’ results have dropped off the high standard he has maintained through his career. Last season, he finished on zero podiums but still typically placed in the top 10. This year he won two non-series races but has found top 10s more difficult to come by. Despite a high ranking in the overall World Cup, Pauwels was left off the Belgian team for the 2019 World Championships in Bogense.
In a release from his Marlux – Bingoal team, Pauwels indicated those results played a factor in his decision.
“An important decision, yes. But if I did not take them now, it would probably be next year. Because I can no longer deliver the performance as I want it. Through my back and also because of my age. At the beginning of the competitions, I get less and less fast.” (translated)
Pauwels will finish out the season before riding into the cyclocross sunset at Oostmalle. The typically reserved Belgian said he unsure about the emotions of the race.
“I do not know if it becomes emotional. At the beginning of the season, I already had in mind that this might be my last season. I try to make the best of it for another two weekends. For myself and for my fans, who still come to the ’cross with many, even if it’s less. And also for the team.” (translated)
As Pauwels races his last professional races, we would like to say Merci Kevin and wish his the best in retirement.
Featured image: Andrew Yee
