Oliver Behringer reflects on good memories as he calls time on pro career

Oliver Behringer has decided to call time on his career. One that started in 2011 when he met Team Novo Nordisk CEO and Co-founder, Phil Southerland at the Tour de Suisse. At the event, Oliver got to ride with Phil and the team, and he received as a gift Phil’s book Not Dead Yet Behringer says the encounter gave birth to a belief he could become a professional cyclist.

Ten years later after achieving that dream and with countless memories, he feels it’s time to move on to the next chapter in his career. We spoke to him to find out about his time as a professional cyclist and what awaits in the future.

Cycling is a high-pressure environment. Will you look back at your time as a professional with fond memories?

It was a dream come true. To have my passion as my job. It’s not easy to leave cycling now because I still love what I do. I’ve met so many amazing people through cycling and so many nice memories from all over the world. It was an amazing 5 years.

What would you say are some of your standout memories?

Everything began with the Talent ID camp in 2016. That was the first time I experienced the team. That’s something I will never forget. The time in the US in the Devo house was amazing to live and train together with all the other guys.

When it comes to racing, I loved racing in Rwanda. We had crazy trips to China, racing with the best teams in the world in Europe. I have so many nice memories. Being with the team was great. At the start, everyone was just a teammate; now they are all friends.

Wasn’t the Tour of Rwanda your first pro race and David Lozano won a stage?

I was called up to my first pro race so it was already amazing. Rwanda is such a special place so that was another bonus. Then David got the win. It was one of the best weeks of my life.

Why do you say Rwanda is a special place?

It was my first time in Africa. Africa is so different. I had no idea what to expect. It was such a special place. I loved it. Now the World Championships have been announced in Rwanda in 2025, I hope I can go and watch it.

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If we go back to your time with the Devo team and living in the house together with the guys in America, why was that special?

It was my first time living outside of my parents’ house and moving to another country across the ocean. I went to the US once before that and as a young guy, it’s crazy. Everything is so big and different. 

Plus I was suddenly in an environment where everything is so professional. We had a coach, a diabetes educator. It was a good time to train together, and race together with the guys. It was not just about cycling, everything felt like a dream.., It was like having a second family.

Do you know what the future looks like for you now that you’re leaving pro cycling?

I have a nursing degree so I’ll go back to the hospital and work as a nurse and get experience. In the future, I would like to work in research and development for nursing.

Anything else you would like to add?

It was an amazing 5 years. When I made the decision it was unexpected but I feel it’s the right choice and the right time. I still love cycling and will keep being active and race locally in Switzerland. 

I met so many amazing people with the team and fans at the races. So many people still react to my Stories and text me. When I told everyone I was retiring, I got so many nice messages. It was an amazing time but I still feel it’s not the end. We are one diabetes community and I hope in some way I can keep having an impact on someone’s life.

Being a role model living with diabetes and showing what’s possible with diabetes wasn’t just something I said because I was a rider with the team. It is something I believe in.