In an era where the riders ruling over pro cycling are getting younger and younger, many former GC specialists became domestiques. One of the riders that has fit the best in this role and has done a tremendous job was Rafal Majka who became Tadej Pogacar’s right-hand man on many Grand Tours. 2025 will be his final season in the peloton, the veteran announced ahead of the Tour de Pologne.
The 35-year old turned pro in 2011 with the Saxo Bank team and really had his breakthrough the year after as he proved crucial in support of Alberto Contador at the 2012 Vuelta a España. A pure climber and one of immense quality, he got his opportunities in the team from a young age and successfully targeted the GC in the very first Grand Tour in which he aimed for that goal – 7th at the 2013 Giro d’Italia.
Throughout his career until 2020 with Tinkoff Saxo and the BORA team, the Polish rider was consistently a strong leader and amongst his many achievements were three stage wins and two KOM jerseys at the Tour de France (between 2014 and 2016); a podium at the 2015 Vuelta a España and two stage wins (2017 and 2021); and four Top10’s at the Giro d’Italia. Furthermore he also finished on the podium of the 2013 edition of Il Lombardia and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
In the 2020’s training methods and nutrition changed cycling significantly and many could not hold the pace of change that specially affected the climbers. But Majka did, and after being signed in 2021 he adapted to his new role as a domestique at UAE Team Emirates – XRG and has turned into one of the single best support riders in the entire peloton – not just because of who he worked for, but over the quality of his work.
From 2021 to 2023 he rode the Tour de France alongside Tadej Pogacar, helping him to an overall victory and two second places; In 2024 he was the main support rider for the Slovenian in his maiden Giro d’Italia win; And this year he also rode the Giro d’Italia with an incredible performance backing up Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso.
Majka has 16 pro wins to this day including also two national championships titles and the overall classification in races such as the Tour of Slovenia and the Tour de Pologne. For the first time in his career he will be racing his home race in the national champion’s jersey where he should be an absolute star, and he will also take the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere in what will be his last presence in the race.