In the kaleidoscope of cycling history, Bjarne Riis is synonymous with the golden age of cycling in the 1990s. Being entwined in the wheels of this relentless sport for four decades, the cyclist bids farewell to the peloton. The 1996 Tour de France winner now wishes to explore entrepreneurial pursuits.

A pivotal figure in the infamous 1990s era, Riis has been subjected to ups and downs in his professional career. The closing chapter of his cycling journey leaves his fans with a mix of nostalgia and determination spanning the euphoria of victory shadowing doping controversies. 

Riis transitions from the peloton to business ventures

Putting an end to his cycling career, the cyclist now embarks on a new journey as a businessman. He has co-founded a company known as Riis Energy, that specializes in heat pumps imported from Lithuania. Besides, he took up a significant role on the board of another company named Nørtec which sells laundry appliances and electric vehicle charging stations. 

Although he took a detour in his professional career, he wishes to make use of his experience of managing a cycling team. As Riis is about to change his paths as he has co-founded a new company, he states, “A cycling team is not much different from a company. Both places are about people. You have to have an organization to function and perform. In addition, it is about motivating employees and helping them to utilize their full potential. Why settle for mediocre when you can create world-class instead?”

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However, his rival and the 1997 Tour de France winner, Jan Ullrich wishes to make a comeback in cycling, overcoming his struggles with addiction and doping. Along with Ullrich, Riis has been exposed to doping scandals that left a mark on his professional career. 

Embracing new horizons moving beyond doping allegations

It was back in 2007, that Riis admitted that during the 1996 Tour de France, he had used a growth hormone known as Erythropoietin (EPO) as well as cortisone. Hence, with this confession, his victory was removed from the recorded history.  

Controversy has never left the side of Riis and the cyclist shared his views about overcoming the difficult period in his cycling career, “I’ve never hid and I’ve always stood up to a beating over the years. I’ve acknowledged my mistakes and moved on, but just because I did something wrong once doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. I can still be a good leader and I can still inspire people.”

In November, Riis took the decision to step down as a team manager of South African NTT Pro Cycling. Doping allegations from riders on his team in 2020 left the cyclist to move past his controversial career.

With the strength derived from his family, Bjarne Riis reflects on the lessons learned from his professional career as a cyclist. He has taken a different path, transcending doping scandals that underscore the evolution of the cycling icon showcasing resilience. 

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