HEERENVEEN, Netherlands – In a stunning turn of events, Belgian speedskating star Sandrine Tas, 28, has announced her immediate retirement from competitive skating to pursue a professional cycling career. The decision, revealed after her final race at the World Allround Championships in Heerenveen on March 9, 2026, marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Belgian winter sports and the beginning of a new pursuit for the Olympic athlete.
Tas, a two-time inline skating world champion in 2015 (1000m and marathon), transitioned to long track speed skating and represented Belgium at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, competing in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and mass start events. She recently secured the Belgian national time trial championship on June 20, 2024, demonstrating her continued athletic prowess. However, the allure of a lifelong passion has proven too strong to resist.
“I feel fulfilled,” Tas said shortly after completing her final 5,000-meter race at Thialf in Heerenveen. “The 5k at the end of a four-day competition is always a bit different than when you’re completely fresh. It was very hard, but I’m happy to have been able to finish my career in a sold-out Thialf.”
From the Ice to the Road
Tas’s decision wasn’t a sudden one. She’s been contemplating a move to cycling for some time, viewing it as a return to a childhood dream. “I think it probably is,” she responded when asked if this was truly the end of her skating career, adding, “I’m not going to say I’ll never skate again, but it will only be in relation to cycling.”
The timing feels right for Tas, who sees this post-Olympic cycle as the ideal moment to build the switch. “This is the dream I want to chase now,” she explained. Growing up, the Tour of Flanders was a major event in her household, fostering a deep appreciation for the sport. “Cycling has a certain freedom, being outdoors in the sunshine. I don’t think there’s anything more beautiful than that.”
Tas will join the Lotto-Intermarché professional cycling team, a move that allows her to pursue her passion in a supportive environment. She acknowledges the learning curve ahead, recognizing the necessitate to develop skills specific to road cycling, such as peloton dynamics, and positioning. “I want a good environment where I similarly have time to learn that,” she said. “And I think I can find that perfectly at Lotto-Intermarché.”
A Decorated Skating Career
Sandrine Tas’s journey in competitive sports began early, growing up in a sporty family in Ostend, Belgium. She spent much of her youth at the ZRC Zandvoorde speed skating track, affectionately known as “de Zwaantjes.” Her dedication and talent quickly became apparent, leading to international success in inline skating before transitioning to the ice.
Beyond her world championships and Olympic appearances, Tas amassed an impressive collection of 17 European titles in inline skating between 2015 and 2021. She also achieved victory three times at the Berlin Marathon. In the 2018/2019 season, she trained under coach Simon Kuipers at the Thialf Academy alongside sisters Stien and Fran Vanhoutte.
Her debut in long track speed skating came on October 28, 2018, alongside Jason Suttels, representing the Langbaan Schaatsclub Gent (LBSG). More recently, she transitioned to the international skating team Novus in the 2022/2023 season, alongside compatriot Mathias Vosté.
What’s Next for Sandrine Tas?
Tas’s immediate focus is on adapting to the demands of professional cycling. While a specific race schedule hasn’t been announced, she’s expected to begin training with Lotto-Intermarché and gradually integrate into the competitive cycling circuit. Her background as a world-class athlete provides a strong foundation, but the transition will require dedication and perseverance.
The move represents a significant shift for Tas, but one driven by passion and a desire to pursue a lifelong dream. While her presence will be missed on the speed skating track, the cycling world eagerly awaits the arrival of this talented and determined athlete. Fans can follow her progress with Lotto-Intermarché through the team’s official channels.
Tas’s final competition at the World Allround Championships saw her finish fourth in the 5,000-meter race, a fitting end to her speed skating career. The event, held in Heerenveen, Netherlands, drew a large crowd, providing a memorable send-off for the Belgian star.
The cycling world will be watching closely to see how Tas adapts to her new sport, and whether she can achieve the same level of success she enjoyed on the ice. For now, she’s embracing the challenge and looking forward to a new chapter in her athletic journey.
