At just 26 years of age, Thomas Damuseau has decided to retire. The Frenchman started his career in 2011 in the Dutch team Skil-Shimano and stayed there until 2014 - when it rode under the names Argos-Shimano and Giant-Shimano - before moving to Roubaix-Lille Métropole.
However, he only spent one year at the continental level as he has now decided to retire.
"Everything is going well for me, I do not have time to get bored," he told Cyclism'Actu. "I have been back to school since September 1 until October. Before I was both a student and a rider and now I am a student 100%, I also want to do other sports and hang out with friends."
Damuseau has known about his retirement for some time.
"After my crash at the French Championships in Chantonnay, I made the decision," he said. "I wondered what my motivation was and how to consider my future. Frankly, I wanted to change my life. I went after my childhood dream but I did not really have a goal. I used my potential 100% and I was very serious. I worked hard and I used all my abilities. I took this decision without regret. I had an amazing experience but I felt that at 26 it was time to resume my studies.
"I made the decision the same night at the airport and then the week after the championships. I then entered business school in the beginning of August."
Damuseau was known as an aggressive rider who enjoyed a sporting highlight when he won the mountains classification at the Criterium du Dauphiné.
"It is difficult to give a precise moment because I have had incredible experiences," he said when asked about his highlight. "Sportingly it was the Dauphiné in 2013 when I won the mountains classification, but I also loved the races in the USA like the Tour of California and the USA Pro Challenge."
Damuseau has already outlined his future.
"I am now in business school at INSEEC Chambery where I am trying to get a bachelor in sports marketing products and services," he said. "My goal is to get my Bachelor's and a Master's degrees and finally combine my educational background with my passion for sport."
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