Reigning Giro d’Italia champion Simon Yates has made a surprising decision to retire from professional cycling at 33, Visma-Lease a Bike announced on Wednesday.
After 13 years at the top level that saw him win two Grand Tours, 10 GT stages, and 36 professional races, the British rider has called time on his successful career with “deep pride and a sense of peace.”
“Dear all, 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,” said Yates in the shock announcement.”
I have been thinking about it for a long time, and it now feels like the right moment to step away from the sport.”
This means his emotional full circle victory at the 2025 Giro, which was won with a stunning stage triumph in Sestrière and conquering of the climb which had been his nightmare seven years prior, and a mountain stage of the Tour de France were his last two victories in the sport.
Born and raised alongside twin brother and fellow professional Adam in Bury, Yates journeyed into the world of pro cycling through British Cycling, racing on the track and even becoming points race World Champion in 2013.
On the road, he burst onto the scene fully at the 2013 Tour de l’Avenir with two mountain stage wins to Chatel and Morzine and finishing 10th overall as twin Adam finished as the GC runner-up.
Only a year later, he was thrust into the WorldTour with Orica GreenEdge, where he would spend the majority of his career. Yates looked back fondly on these earlier memories, thanking those who had helped him along the way in his shock announcement.
“Cycling has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. 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,” said Yates.
“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. Whenever I doubted myself, you never did. Thank you.”
More to follow…
Thanks for everything, Simon! 🩷🐝 pic.twitter.com/twnRcPtNHaJanuary…
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