After a long and very successful career Ludo Philippaerts announced last week that he will put his competition boots in the closet for good. Ludo – now 51 years old – has been among the world’s best riders for decades. The Belgian rider has a team gold medal from the 1991 European Championships, and an individual silver medal from the 2001 European Championships – as well as having several Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup Finals behind him. Ludo has also won countless World Cups, Nations Cups and Grand Prix competitions through his career. Here is a small photo tribute as the curtain closes for the Belgian rider. Photos © Jenny Abrahamsson.