Canadian Michael “Rusty” Woods, a former stage winner at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, has announced he will retire from professional road cycling at the end of the season, concluding a career spanning over a decade.
Idman.biz, citing Reuters, reports that the 38-year-old, who made history as the first athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile and complete the Tour de France, currently races for Israel Start-Up Nation. Woods claimed an individual stage win at the 2023 Tour de France and three stage victories at the Vuelta, the latest last year.
Starting cycling at 25 after a successful running career, Woods spoke about the sacrifices his career demanded, from avoiding his children to sleeping separately to optimize rest. “Every aspect of my life has been examined to maximize my ability to ride a bike. I have no regrets, but it can only be sustained for so long,” he said.
Woods, who also won bronze at the 2018 World Championships, added that he still has ambitions in endurance sports but has decided to retire from professional road cycling at season’s end.
Idman.biz
