The End of a Cycling Dream: A Pro's Journey from Pedals to Properties
Kobe Goossens, a former professional cyclist, has bid farewell to the world of professional racing, marking the end of a six-year career. At 29, he's embarking on a new chapter as a real estate agent, a surprising career shift that has left many intrigued. But what led this talented athlete to leave the sport he loved?
Goossens' Instagram bio now reads 'vastgoedmakelaar,' the Dutch term for real estate agent, signaling a significant change in his professional path. The Belgian cyclist announced his retirement on New Year's Day, reflecting on his time in the sport as a childhood dream come true. He spent the last four years with the Intermarché-Wanty team, a WorldTour squad, but was not included in their recent merger with Lotto.
The merger process, which led to the 'unification' of the WorldTour squad and the former ProTeam Lotto, was a challenging transition. Only eight riders from Intermarché-Wanty's 28-strong 2025 squad made the cut, while the remaining 20 riders faced uncertainty. Among them, Goossens is the latest of six to confirm retirement, with some riders, like Louis Barré, finding new teams at the last minute.
Goossens' cycling journey began with Belgian Continental teams and cyclo-cross competitions. He joined Lotto-Soudal's under-23 squad in 2018, graduating to the WorldTour with the team in 2020. His career highlights include participation in all three Grand Tours: the Vuelta a España, the Giro d'Italia, and the Tour de France. Goossens' palmarès includes two professional wins, achieved in 2023 on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
His former agents at Wasserman Cycling shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, 'A chapter closes, and a new one begins. Today we say goodbye to Kobe Goossens, who has decided to retire from professional cycling. After years of racing at the highest level, Kobe has chosen to turn the page and begin a new journey off the bike.'
As Goossens transitions from the world of professional cycling to real estate, his story serves as a reminder that sometimes, the end of one dream is the beginning of another.
