Simon Yates has announced his shock retirement from professional cycling with immediate effect.
The reigning Giro d’Italia champion made the announcement via his team, Visma-Lease a Bike, on Wednesday afternoon. He is one of two British riders to win multiple Grand Tours, alongside Chris Froome.
In a letter posted on social media, Yates said: “I have made the decision to retire from professional cycling.
“This may come as a surprise to many, but it is not a decision I have made lightly. I have been thinking about it for a long time, and it now feels like the right moment to step away from the sport.
“Cycling has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” he continued. “From racing on the track at the Manchester Velodrome, to competing and winning on the biggest stage and representing my country at the Olympic Games, it has shaped every chapter of my life.
“I am deeply proud of what I have managed to achieve and equally grateful for the lessons that came with it. While the victories will always stand out, the harder days and setbacks were just as important. They taught me resilience and patience, and made the successes mean even more.
“To everyone who has supported me along the way, from the staff to my teammates, your unwavering belief and loyalty made it possible for me to realise my own dreams,” Yates wrote. “Whenever I doubted myself, you never did. Thank you.
“To my team, Visma–Lease a Bike, thank you for your understanding and support of my decision to stop now. You gave me the opportunity to rewrite my history, and through trust and belief, we did it together. Thank you.
“To my family, you shared the sacrifices that came with this sport. The absences and missed birthdays were never easy, yet you understood what this journey meant to me and supported it wholeheartedly. I owe you more than I can ever properly express. Thank you.
He concluded: “I step away from professional cycling with deep pride and a sense of peace. This chapter has given me more than I ever imagined. Memories and moments that will stay with me long after the racing ends and for whatever comes next.
Thank you for the journey.”
Explore More
