Cycling enthusiasts were accustomed to its bleeding attacks on the steepest climbs. But no one saw this latest outing coming. While the organizers of Paris-Nice were still counting on his presence for the next edition of the Race of the Sun next March, Simon Yates surprised the cycling world by announcing his “decision to retire from professional cycling”.
Information published on his social networks and on the website of his Team Visma Lease a Bike team where he was one of Jonas Vingegaard’s main lieutenants. In a long and touching press release, the Briton, only 33 years old, affirms that if the decision “may surprise more than one”, it was not “taken lightly”. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and I feel like it’s the right time to step away from the sport,” he says.
“Cycling has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” he continues. From racing on the track at the Manchester Velodrome to competing and winning on the world’s biggest stages while representing my country at the Olympics, it has shaped every chapter of my life. I am deeply proud of what I managed to accomplish and equally grateful for the lessons that came with it. If the victories will always be remembered, the more difficult days and the setbacks have been just as important. They taught me resilience and patience, and gave even more meaning to my successes. »
This choice is all the more puzzling as it comes as Yates, who signed with Visma Lease a Bike in 2025, is coming off a successful season. Winner of the Giro last spring and of the 10th stage of the Tour de France, on the steep roads towards Mont-Dore, the rider still seemed to have something under his belt to claim a few victories in 2026.
But Adam’s twin brother (UAE Emirates) decided otherwise. The one who also won the Vuelta in 2018 and took 4th place in the Tour de France in 2023 (and a total of 3 stages gleaned) is leaving through the front door.
“To everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, from the staff to my teammates, your unwavering faith and loyalty have allowed me to achieve my dreams,” said Yates. Every time I doubted myself, you never did. THANKS. »
He also thanks his team “for [sa] understanding and [son] support in [sa] decision to stop now”, “you gave me the opportunity to rewrite my story”.
He slips in a word for his family who “shared the sacrifices linked to this sport, the absences and the missed birthdays”. “I owe you more than I can ever express.”
Although he distances himself from professional cycling “with great pride and a sense of peace”, Yates does not say more about the reasons which pushed him towards retirement.
