I fell in love with pro cycling in 2003. Or at least that was the year when I started to confess it. At the time, riders like Fabian Cancellara, Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert were seen as young and promising. During the years, they have grown up. They have one a lot of races, they have all been world champions and they have won different spring classics. Indeed they are all very experienced riders.

The years have passed by very quickly. And it is quite shocking to realize that their careers are coming to an end. Well, maybe not this year. But they may not be around in the pro circus as riders in five years' time.

Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) has said that he will aim to win a record fourth Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) and other spring classics before deciding his future.

“I’m happy. I’m enjoying myself and trying to reach 100 percent in less than two months’ time,” he said. “That’s what I’m doing.”

This week, Cancellara has raced in the Tour of Qatar. And he will also ride the Tour of Oman, Strade Bianche, the Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo, E3 Harelbeke, Gent-Wevelgem, the Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix.

“The first goals are the classics. After that … I want to take a break and settle up for the rest of the season. We have a worlds coming, but that’s still far and it’s in the US. Many things can happen before then.”