Magnus Cort targets stage win in final Vuelta before retirement: 'I will get my chances'

Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility) has admitted he is “a bit scared” about life beyond the peloton as the nine-time Grand Tour stage winner prepares to bring his professional career to a close at the end of 2026.

Cort confirmed his retirement in June, just before becoming Danish champion and starting his eighth and final Tour de France, explaining he still felt he was riding at 100% but had reached the point where he was ready to step away from the sacrifices required to remain at the highest level.

With a stage victory at the Volta a Catalunya, becoming Danish champion and completing his eighth Tour, Cort has illustrated his ability to still shine on the WorldTour stage.

Before he hangs up his wheels, Cort will embark on the fifteenth and final three-week adventure of his career at the upcoming Vuelta a España, where he will look to add to his impressive tally of six stage victories as the final curtain-closer, as he explained on the Domestique Hotseat. 

“I've always liked the Grand Tours and especially the Vuelta,” Cort said. “I've had many, many wins there and many big, good experiences and memories. The Tour is the Grand Tour I've done the most, but I think the Vuelta is the one I like the best.”

The Vuelta holds added significance for Cort as he made his Grand Tour debut at the race a decade ago, back in 2016, racing in the colours of Orica GreenEdge. 

It was a hugely successful debut, both personally and collectively as Cort claimed two stages and helped Esteban Chaves to third overall behind Nairo Quintana and Chris Froome. 

Meanwhile, Simon Yates and Jens Keukeleire also won stages to round out a successful three weeks for Cort and the Australian team.

“It was the first Grand Tour I did and with great success in my first. Yeah, the first time I did it I won two stages, and we had Esteban Chaves on the podium, and I think the team had at least four stage wins in total,” he said.

Cort also described the laid-back atmosphere of the race compared to the Tour and the weather compared to the Giro as some of the reasons he has thrived in his four previous appearances.

“So we had a really, really good Vuelta there and coming back I've always enjoyed it. There's a little bit less stress than in the Tour. Most of the time you have good roads and the weather is also good compared to the Giro where you more often have cold and rainy days.”

As he explained, Cort still feels like he is riding at 100% and thus, the Vuelta will not be merely a farewell procession for the 33-year-old. 

Despite a strong list of stage hunters that is set to include the likes of Wout van Aert and compatriot Mads Pedersen, alongside the formidable Tadej Pogačar, Cort feels there are plenty of opportunities that could suit him. 

“I will definitely get my chances,” Cort said. “And I think there will be chances from breakaways. There's a lot of days with like rolling terrain with a lot of climbing metres but not any big, big mountains.”

“I think both Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert can equally jump in a break and take it from there, then I think we could see many, many stages being decided from breakaways.”

In particular, Cort expects Pedersen's impressive form to continue, after a standout Tour, where the former world champion claimed a stage win and the points classification, demonstrating exceptional climbing legs in the process.

"I think Mads Pedersen, that was insane how he was climbing in the Tour de France this year, so I think he will probably be the main rival for me, for stages and the favourite for the points jersey as well.”

While Cort is comfortable with the decision to retire, he admitted that he feels less certain about what comes after life in the peloton. 

“I’m also kind of a bit scared, maybe even now, because I don’t know who I am outside of cycling, because it has been my life for so long now,” he said.

“It has been what I've been dreaming about, chasing since I was, I don't know, 14, 15, the dream of wanting to become a pro and then you make it one day, and then you're there. And so it has been my entire adult life now.”

“So I need some time to figure out who I am when I finish this. But I'm not that afraid. I'm sure we'll go well, and I will enjoy my time off the bike also.”

Listen to the full Domestique Hotseat episode with Magnus Cort 👇