Farewell, Emilie… Moberg retires from cycling
After three years with the team and 12 total as a professional cyclist, Emilie Moberg is moving on to the next chapter of her life. She leaves the team with few regrets, and a bright next chapter which she has already begun writing.
“It was always the plan that this year would be my last. I felt in 2021 that it might be time to do something else and I had some conversations with the team. I still really, really liked to ride my bike and I really wanted to race more. I also found the team atmosphere last year was great, so I was eager to do one more year and then retire.
Cruelly, Emilie did not get to race in her final year after all.
“I had a bad crash in Paris-Roubaix 2021 where I hit my head very hard. I have been suffering with the symptoms of that crash this year, and while it was getting better and better, I was still experiencing dizziness. By June I was training as normal, but I was not able to race until I had zero symptoms.”
That didn’t stop Emilie being a part of the Le Col - Wahoo squad, often the first person in the team WhatsApp group to wish good luck or to celebrate the successes of other riders throughout the year. And who could forget the day she turned up at the Tour of Scandinavia – Battle of the North dressed in a yellow chicken suit to ‘chirp’ her support for our riders competing?
“I really wanted to be a part of the team, even if I couldn’t race. I wanted the team to succeed and it makes me really happy to see them perform at their best. Being a part of it was really nice. I also try to help in other ways, for example sharing something about nutrition. That has been really great this year.”
Emilie is well-placed to give the other riders nutrition tips, having almost completed a masters in the subject.
“I am in my last year of education for a masters programme in clinical nutrition. And right now I have an internship at a big hospital where I work everyday 8 to 4. We work on nutrition for different types of patients, they could be ones who’ve had surgery, patients with a new kidney or liver, a lot of cancer patients. It’s really varied!”
Many ex bike racers find the transition difficult when they enter ‘real life’, but Emilie has been working towards this masters for a while, and says she’s enjoying the change of pace.
“I really enjoy the transition. I think that’s because I was prepared for it. I have stopped cycling as a job and am focused right away on a different career. I have been studying this for a long time, so it feels quite good to actually get into working!”
So far, Emilie has had a few adjustments to her lifestyle.
“Of course it’s different. As a cyclist you can mostly plan your day how you want, but with a job like this it’s the same time every day, 8 till 4. There’s no option!
“It’s super busy. The days fly, there’s so much to do – and it’s also really interesting. I’m really enjoying it at the moment and looking forward to the next chapter.”
As Emilie herself puts it, ’12 years in the peloton is a long time’ and she has enjoyed plenty of highlights.
“It’s hard to point at one race, but I think the ones where I won because of a really good team effort are the ones I remember the most. A win in the Healthy Ageing Tour [in 2017] when I could take the sprint after my team had worked for me from kilometre zero; that was a really nice feeling.
“And then of course, riding in the World Championships at home in London, and going to the Olympics in London. Really, really goosebumps!”
Reflecting on the team where she spent her final three years as a pro, Emilie says she felt like part of something bigger, and was able to keep on learning.
“The best thing about this team is that everyone tries to make the environment as good as possible. Everyone gives their best, includes each other. I always had a feeling everybody wanted to be a part of it. That’s the staff together with the riders.
“The younger riders on the team really taught me a lot, and I hope I taught them some things too. The exchange there is really valuable for both sides.”
After 12 years in the game, Emilie finished by giving some advice for young women who might want to pursue the dream of being a professional cyclist.
“Be patient. It’s a big change stepping up from the junior to elite these days. There are some athletes who come into the WorldTour and immediately compete with the best, but most riders need some years to learn how racing works, to grow and become stronger. Listen to the more experienced riders, but also don’t have too much respect!”