A once-bright star in the world of professional cycling has decided to call it quits. Mark Padun, the Ukrainian all-rounder who achieved notable success in 2021, including two mountain stage victories at the Criterium du Dauphiné, has announced his retirement at the age of 28. The decision appears to have been made after a period of reflection, as Padun's performance waned significantly in his final season.

In 2024, Padun struggled to maintain competitive form, withdrawing from several stage races and failing to meet time limits in others. His last public appearance was in the Tour of Slovakia, where he did not finish within the required time frame during a team time trial. Following this, he stepped away from racing altogether. While Padun has not publicly disclosed his future plans, he maintains connections with Andorra and Italy, in addition to his native Ukraine.

Padun first caught the attention of cycling enthusiasts in 2017 when he turned professional. His breakthrough came in 2018 with a stage win at the Tour of the Alps. However, it was his remarkable 2021 season that truly put him on the map. He secured back-to-back Alpine stages at the Critérium du Dauphiné and claimed the mountains classification, outshining some of the top contenders for the Tour de France. Despite not being selected for the Tour, Padun continued to impress with a third-place finish at the Vuelta a Burgos and stellar support performances in the Vuelta a España.

Padun signed a two-year contract with EF Education in 2022, but despite initial hopes for consistent improvement, his career trajectory faltered. Team manager Jonathan Vaughters had high praise for Padun's exceptional physical attributes, noting his VO2 Max levels were among the highest he had ever encountered. However, Padun's inconsistency persisted, leading to his departure from the American WorldTour squad at the end of 2023. Even with tailored nutrition plans, Padun could not sustain peak performance throughout the year.

Despite the suspicions that arose from his rapid rise in 2021, Vaughters maintained that these concerns were unfounded. Padun's potential was undeniable, yet his career ultimately fell short of expectations. After a challenging 2024 season with ProTeam Corratec-Vini Fantini, Padun officially retired from professional cycling this December. His story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports careers and the importance of consistency and resilience in achieving long-term success.