American Mike Sayers: Teary Farewell After 15 Years In Cycling

Tour of Missouri organizers did something nice Sunday afternoon. They called Michael Sayers to the award ceremony podium and wished him farewell after his decade-and-a-half in the peloton.

Mike Sayers

Sayers, 38, finished 38th in the main field in the final stage of the race Sunday and 77th overall in the last race of his career.

Sayers didn’t win many races in his career, but he was a consummate team rider who rode long and hard and endured the typical laments of aging pro cyclists — fast speeds, crashes and weary bones.

When he was asked to speak, Sayers of Carmichael, Calif., thanked a handful of teammates and team directors. He broke down in tears a few times and concluded by saying that he rode hard in every race in which he rode.

It was a nice send off for an unheralded, long time pro. He waved to the crowd for a few seconds and then left the stage to join teammates. Good on you, Mike. Bravo.