Cyclist, aged 21, ends career amid race chaos and safety worries following recent fatalities: "My mental health deteriorated progressively with each disarray"
In a surprising move, Louis Kitzki, a young talent for Alpecin-Deceuninck Development, has decided to retire from professional cycling at the age of 21. The decision comes after a series of tragic incidents that left an indelible impact on Kitzki's mental health and safety concerns.
The turning point for Kitzki was the 2024 Tour of Austria, where he witnessed the fatal crash of André Drege, a rider for Coop-Repsol. This incident followed another tragic event at the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta in July 2025, where Samuele Privitera, a rider for Hagens Berman Jayco, lost his life in a crash[1][2][3].
These incidents had a profound effect on Kitzki, causing him to question his safety and comfort in races. He felt mentally blocked during races and lost the pleasure of competition[1][3]. The chaos and unpredictability of professional cycling races further heightened his safety concerns, making him increasingly uncomfortable during competitions[2][3].
Kitzki's performance in races did not reflect his training efforts, which he significantly improved under the guidance of his trainer Philipp Walsleben. Despite his doubts, he continued racing until the end, but towards the closing stages, races became a confirmation of his decision to retire[4].
Kitzki expressed regret for not living up to some expectations as a professional cyclist and viewed races as an annoying side effect for earning money in cycling[6]. However, he is grateful for the opportunity with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Zwift, and he learned from top cyclists and got to know many nice people on the team[7].
Alpecin-Deceuninck has not released a statement regarding Kitzki's retirement. His retirement follows the deaths of two other riders, Muriel Furrer, who died following a crash in the junior women's road race at the World Championships in 2021, and Gino Mäder, who died after a crash at the Tour de Suisse in 2023[8].
Kitzki's retirement highlights broader discussions about safety and mental health in the sport, underscoring the need for measures to ensure the well-being of all cyclists[5].
References: 1. BBC Sport 2. Cycling News 3. The Guardian 4. Deceuninck-Quick Step 5. Cycling Weekly 6. CyclingTips 7. Swiss Cycling 8. Swiss Info
Driven by concerns about his mental health and safety, Louis Kitzki, previously a cycling prodigy for Alpecin-Deceuninck Development, decided to retire from the demanding world of professional cycling. In the aftermath of several tragic incidents that took the lives of fellow cyclists, such as the 2024 Tour of Austria and the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta, Kitzki found it challenging to maintain his mental composure during races and the unpredictability escalated his apprehensions. Such incidents have triggered broader discussions surrounding the importance of health-and-wellness, mental-health, and safety in sports, particularly cycling.
