Vasil Kiryienka, the 38-year-old Belarusian with team Ineos, has been forced into immediate retirement due to recurring heart issues.
The former TT world champion had suffered unspecified cardiac problems early last year but had returned to competition without incident and raced a full season in 2019.
Indeed, he won the European Games TT title just two
months after coming back to racing at the end of April.
However, on the day the 2020 European road racing season has gotten underway, Team Ineos has today confirmed its oldest rider has been forced out of the sport.
Kiryienka has been with Team Ineos, and its predecessor Team Sky, since 2013.
He also rode for Movistar, Tinkoff Credit Systems and Caisse d'Epargne and began his career way back in 2004 with small Polish team Grupa PSB.
“It’s a really sad day for me, but it’s the right decision based on the advice I’ve been given by the medical team,” said Kiryienka announcing his retirement today.
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“I’ve had a wonderful career and enjoyed every minute
racing with this team. It’s been an incredible journey and I am so grateful for
all the support I’ve received throughout my whole career.”
Team Ineos principal Dave Brailsford described Kiryienka
as one of the greatest team riders of his generation.
“When a rider in a breakaway looked back and saw the open
shirted Kiry on the front of the peloton driving the chase they knew their days
were numbered,” Brailsford said.
“He had a unique hallmark style of maintaining a rock solid upper body whilst
generating enormous power, hour after hour.
“The only thing that changed during his metronomic efforts
was his grimace would grow as he dug to the very depths of his energy giving
his all to the team, day after day.
“We have been lucky to have him ride with us over the last seven years and are
proud to have supported him to some incredible victories: the time trial
rainbow bands, his breakaway win at the Vuelta and all of his TT victories in
our colours.
“While this is a tough decision to take it is obviously the right one and we
support him fully in it. We wish him every success and the team will continue
to support him in the future.”
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