Wow. Some big news dropped on Wednesday. Simon Yates has announced his retirement from pro cycling.
“This may come as a surprise to many, but it is not a decision I have made lightly,” Yates wrote on social media. “I have been thinking about it for a long time, and it now feels like the right moment to step away from the sport.”
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Yates’ journey in cycling began on the track at the Manchester Velodrome. That eventually led him to big wins in the WorldTour, as well as representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games. Reflecting on his career, Yates said, “Cycling has been part of my life for as long as I can remember… It has shaped every chapter of my life.”
In 2025 he took a huge win at the Giro d’Italia after an incredible penultimate stage where he took the pink jersey.
“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,” he said.
“To everyone who has supported me, 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.”
He also highlighted the role of his Visma–Lease a Bike team. “You gave me the opportunity to rewrite my history, and through trust and belief, we did it together,” he said.
Yates made sure to thank those close to him. “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,” he wrote.
As he steps away, Yates described leaving the sport with pride. “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.”
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…