After 14 years in the pro peloton, Rafal Majka is preparing to retire at the end of the 2025 season, with Il Lombardia where he’ll ride alongside Tadej Pogačar one final time set as his last race. A seasoned climber, Grand Tour veteran, and now a key mountain domestique, Majka didn’t hesitate when asked who his favorite team leader has been: “Tadej Pogačar.”
Before Lombardia, Majka is racing on home soil at the Tour de Pologne, a race he won in 2014 and finished second in 2017, with three stage wins to his name. His career includes appearances in 23 Grand Tours and support roles for various leaders, notably aiding Pogačar in three Tour de France campaigns (2021–2023) and his dominant 2024 Giro d’Italia win. That experience, Majka said, confirmed not only Pogačar’s greatness as a rider but also his quality as a leader. “He’s just a normal guy off the bike, but on the bike, he’s a killer,” said Majka, 35, during the Tour de Pologne team presentation, where he drew the biggest cheers.
Majka decided to retire back in January but delayed the announcement until recently, wanting to bow out while still at a high level. “I wanted to stop while still strong,” he said, adding that racing in the Polish National Champion’s jersey made the Pologne appearance even more meaningful.
Majka’s own palmarès include three Tour de France stage wins, the 2014 mountains classification, a third-place overall in the 2015 Vuelta a España, and a bronze medal in the 2016 Olympic road race. Though he’s gradually shifted into a domestique role in recent years including standout performances supporting Juan Ayuso and Isaac del Toro in this year’s Giro, he’s proud to go out on a high. “I just did the Tour of Austria and finished third overall, even while working for Del Toro,” he said. “But then you see the young riders coming up, and you’re never home. I want to enjoy life and ride my bike without pressure.”
Despite his upcoming retirement, Majka still has goals. He’ll finish the season with Il Lombardia but says the Tour de Pologne holds special significance as his last race on Polish soil, underscored by the warm reception from fans.
Reflecting on the last phase of his career, Majka said joining UAE Team Emirates in 2021 felt like entering a family. “I’ve had more domestique duties, but working for the best rider in the world is rewarding,” he explained. “It’s been easier mentally, and I’ve enjoyed the last five years more than when I was a team leader. As you get older, you realize being a support rider can be a better fit.”
As for Pogačar, Majka believes skipping the Vuelta after a grueling Tour de France was the right move. “The Tour was brutal, with crazy high speeds. It’s smarter to recover and focus on next season. He can win so much more.”
Looking ahead in the Tour de Pologne, Majka will lend support to emerging talents like Jan Christen, fresh off a podium in the Clásica San Sebastián, and Brandon McNulty, returning after his Giro effort. “I’ll try to do something, but the final day’s time trial isn’t my strength,” he admitted. “Still, some stages suit me, and anything can happen. Pologne always feels like seven days of Classics racing.”
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