Nicolas Roche has called time on his pro racing career, announcing his decision earlier today which you can read about by following this link.
The 37-year-old had always spoken of continuing to race until he was aged 40 years. But he has now said things changed for him this summer when he woke up on the day of a race and decided he wanted to do something else in life.
To mark the end of his 17-year pro career he has released a lengthy statement, which we’ve included in full below.
Nicolas Roche statement on retirement
Today I announce my retirement from professional cycling. This is both the hardest and easiest decision I have ever had to make. I have been lucky to have spent time with some of the best cyclists in the world, past and present. We often discussed when is the right time to start a new chapter. I always thought I would keep racing as long as possible. However these riders often said that one morning you will wake up and just know it is time to retire. You will be ready to try something else, have new challenges and new goals.
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I never believed then until that day arrived in August for me. For the first time in my life I woke up one morning before a race knowing it was time to do something else. After 17 years and over 1,270 professional race days, my last race was yesterday at the Irish National Championships in Wicklow, my favourite place in the world to ride a bike, surrounded by my friends, family and a lot of supporters who had made racing in and for Ireland special.
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Racing in front of the Irish crowd one last time, knowing it was my last race, made for a very special day. There were a lot of emotions running through my head the last few KMs, a tear was shed but luckily I have no regrets. It feels very fitting that the last race will be here for it was in the Wicklow Mountains as a 12-year-old that I started dreaming of one day being a professional cyclist. Little did I know that all my dreams would come true.
To all those who supported me, encouraged me, followed me over the past number of years – thank you. To the next generation of Irish riders, who I saw with my own eyes yesterday are very strong, dream big, work hard and anything is possible. I look forward to following your progress from the side of the road or in the team car over the next number of years.
Cycling is my life. It has allowed me to meet some incredible people and travel to some of the most fantastic places in the world.
Ever since that day in August, I wake up excited about the possibilities waiting for me in this new chapter of my life. Of course cycling is such a big part of my life and I will stay involved in the sport.
I look forward to taking up a consultancy role in Trinity Sports Management, my management company for over a decade. Learning the business side of the sport from my good friend of 30 years Andrew McQuaid is a natural fit. I will continue to develop my Roca sports shop in Ireland. There other plans in the making and I look forward to sharing more details soon. I thank you all for the incredible support that I received during my cycling career.
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