Search
shop

Triathlon great Vincent Luis makes BRUTALLY HONEST admission and admits “I’m definitely not coming back”

"Somebody I've looked up to - he had personality and class" - Alex Yee pays tribute to Vincent Luis as he bows out of short course racing.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

The heartfelt tributes flowed in from his rivals after French great Vincent Luis bowed out from short-course racing at the weekend in typically swashbuckling style.

The 35-year-old has been competing since 2005 and at the height of his powers he was twice world champion in 2019 and 2020 as well as dominating in the short and fast Super League arena.

But Sunday at the WTCS Grand Final in Torremolinos was his last Olympic-distance event at this level and he played a huge role in sparking the race into life as he helped drive a five-man front group on the bike, which also featured his French teammate Léo Bergere, who was bidding for world title glory.

They put over a minute-and-a-half into the rest and though Hayden Wilde and Bergere would make that count by finishing first and second, Alex Yee would close down Luis and the rest to seal third place and a first world crown to go with his Olympic gold medal.

Advertisement

‘Personality and class’

And everyone afterwards was delighted to have seen Luis shine again in his finale – even Yee, despite it making his own task all the more difficult!

In a mark of huge respect, Yee told us that the celebrations afterwards were more about marking Luis’ career rather than his own achievements.

Speaking to TRI247 the morning after the night before, Alex said: “It was Vince’s last short-course race, so the main thing was celebrating him and his success – he’s left the sport in a good place, so I think that was really, really nice.

“It’s been amazing to share the start line with him – from my first World Series in 2019 to now.

He’s always been somebody I’ve looked up to, somebody who I thought was cool, somebody who had personality and class.

“So it’s been great to be able to race with him and we wish him every success in whatever he does and I’m sure he’ll do it very well.”

That was echoed by Yee’s great rival Wilde, who added: “All of us look up to Vince and to see him have a race like that was really special.”

Vincent Luis waves goodbye WTCS Finals Torremolinos 2024 photo credit World Triathlon
Vincent Luis bowing out on his terms in Torremolinos [Photo credit: World Triathlon]

‘Only good memories’

The man himself though underlined just how high the current standard is thanks to the likes of Yee, Wilde and Bergere – not just the overall podium in Torremolinos but also at the Olympics in Paris.

Speaking to World Triathlon in the video embedded below, he said: “It’s time to move on, I guess. I’m just not fast enough anymore. I can say it with no shame. These guys are just too fast but I’m still going to follow what they are doing.

“I just hope I brought something to triathlon and now I have new challenges. I’m definitely not coming back. It’s way too hard for me now!

“[But] it’s only good memories. I’ve been lucky enough to witness the best of the sport with Alex, Hayden, the Brownlees and [Javier] Gomez and all these guys.”

Reflecting on his final race, which saw him finish in eighth after a huge shift helping Bergere, he added: “It was great. I managed to make the jump to join Leo. I knew my role was kind of to try to help him with Hayden in the group.

“Obviously we had to work to try and managed to get the gap on Alex. But Alex is still Alex, so he can run back a minute and 30, finish third and still win the title. It’s really impressive and I’m really happy for him. We had a great race for my last race, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
TRI247 podcast
What is it really like to be a professional triathlete? NEW TRI247 x Challenge Family podcast takes you beyond the start lines this race season
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Let’s race… French Riviera T100
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Gustav Iden aero position body rocket
How to get better at holding your time trial position – Expert tips from former PRO time trial cyclist Alex Dowsett
latest News
Oliver Conway World Triathlon Cuo win Saidia 2025
Breakthrough World Cup win – and Brownlee Racing spot – in memorable week for British youngster
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders moving again but taking it step by step in injury battle
Magnus Ditlev - T100 San Francisco 2024 run
“I lost it mentally” – Magnus Ditlev reveals why he was shown red card at IRONMAN Frankfurt
Marjolaine Pierre World Long Distance Triathlon win 2025
World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships 2025 results: Pierre and Benito add second wins
Kristian Blummenfelt wins IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025
IRONMAN Frankfurt 2025 results: Blummenfelt defends title on drama-packed day
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...