Concerns over personal safety led to the early retirement of a young German cycling talent, aged 21, in the wake of recent fatalities among riders in groups.
In a surprising turn of events, 21-year-old German cyclist Louis Kitzki has decided to hang up his cycling shoes after witnessing two fatal accidents during races. The tragic deaths of Samuele Privitera at the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta in July 2022 and André Drege at the 2024 Tour of Austria left a profound impact on Kitzki's mental health, leading him to retire from professional cycling.
Kitzki, who earned a spot on Alpecin-Deceuninck through the Zwift Academy competition in 2023, shared his feelings about his career end in an Instagram post. He wrote, "Probably not the kind of career end I had imagined... After participating in my last race, the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d'Aosta, and the associated death of Samuele Privitera, I decided to end my career as a professional cyclist."
Kitzki had already been pondering his decision following Privitera's death, but he suppressed these feelings for a while. However, after the death at the Tour of Austria, he felt unable to be the racer he once was and expressed increasing concerns about his personal safety.
The chaos of the peloton and safety fears served as a mental block in competition for Kitzki. He struggled to reproduce in races what he had achieved in training during his career. This emotional and psychological burden, coupled with the tragic incidents he had witnessed, compelled him to step away from the sport he once loved.
Kitzki felt Alpecin-Deceuninck was very aware of their responsibility towards young athletes. He thanked them for their support during his short career. Despite not living up to some expectations as a professional cyclist, Kitzki's career ended after the Giro Ciclistico Valle D'Aosta, marking the end of an era for the young German rider.
[1] German Cyclist Louis Kitzki Retires Due to Safety Concerns
[2] Louis Kitzki Retires After Witnessing Two Fatal Accidents During Races
[3] Louis Kitzki: German Cyclist Retires After Two Fatal Races
[4] Louis Kitzki: The Story Behind the Retirement of a Young Talent
[5] Louis Kitzki: A Career Cut Short by Tragedy
[1] Louis Kitzki, the German cyclist, retired from professional racing after two fatal accidents during races affected his mental health and personal safety, leading to his decision to step away from the sport.
[2] Due to the profound impact of witnessing two fatal accidents during races, German cyclist Louis Kitzki has decided to retire, making a shift from health-and-wellness in cycling to a focus on mental health and overall well-being.
