Simon Yates retired. The news arrived today like a bolt from the blue also because the last winner of the Giro d’Italia was part of Visma’s 2026 roster until yesterday | Lease a Bike and had taken part in the first seasonal retreats.
In his farewell letter to cycling, shared on social media, the 33-year-old Englishman does not speak of any particular reasons, but suggests that it is a decision he has thought about for a long time.
What is certain is that in modern cycling, staying at a high level is increasingly demanding from a physical and mental point of view and that it is not easy for everyone to do it for a long time, as in the case of Yates.
Below you will find the translation of Simon Yates’ farewell letter to cycling, published on his Instagram profile:
I have made the decision to retire from professional cycling.
This choice may surprise many, but it is not a decision taken lightly. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time and now I feel like it’s the right time to step away from this sport.
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.
I am deeply proud of what I have been able to achieve and equally grateful for the lessons that have come from it. While the victories will always remain imprinted, even the toughest days and setbacks were just as important. They taught me resilience and patience and made successes even more meaningful.
To everyone who has supported me along the way, from the staff to my teammates: your unwavering trust and loyalty have allowed me to make my dreams come true. Every time I doubted myself, you never did. Thank you.
To my team, Team Visma | Lease a Bike, thank you for understanding and supporting my decision to stop now. You gave me the opportunity to rewrite my story and, thanks to mutual trust and belief, we did it together. Thank you.
To my family: you have shared the sacrifices that this sport has entailed. Absences and missed birthdays have never been easy, yet you understood what this journey meant to me and supported it with all your heart. I owe you more than I can ever adequately express. Thank you.
I walk away from professional cycling with great pride and a sense of peace. This chapter gave me more than I ever imagined. Memories and moments that will stay with me long after the races are over and for everything that comes after.
Thanks for the trip.
Foto d’apertura Visma | Lease a Bike
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