For several weeks, he has known that it was coming fand it is now official. Sébastien Minard is no longer a professional cyclist. 

On Saturday, in Saint-Riquier, the Frenchman pinned his last bib number at a cyclo-cross event and it was with some tears and a lot of emotion that he crossed the line, aware that his career was over. 

"It was my last race," he explained in the the newspaper France 3 Picardie. "There was a lot of emotion in turning the page."

After twelve years of good and loyal service, including a victory at Paris-Camembert in 2010, the 34-year-old was unable to find a contract. Not retained by Ag2r - La Mondiale, a team he joined in 2011 after his debut at RAGT Semence and five seasons at Cofidis, there was no question for Minard to return to the amateur ranks. It is with conviction that he will turn the page, still wishing to continue in cycling. He mentioned two possible future careers, either in the organization of cycling events or in supervision of young riders.