Two-time Irish National champion and multiple Olympian Nicholas Roche has announced his retirement from professional cycling.
Roche, who twice finished in the top ten of the Vuelta a España and represented Ireland seven times at the Road World Championships, said that he made the decision back in August.
"This is both the hardest and the easiest decision I have ever had to make," said Roche, who is the son of 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche.
"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 for as long as possible. However, these riders often said that one morning you will wake up and just know it's time to retire. You will be ready to try something else, have new challenges and new goals.
"I never believed them 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."
Olympian and two-time Irish National champion Nicolas Roche has retired from professional cycling: https://t.co/Yar0edfvdI #RTESport pic.twitter.com/GQ5C6a4NFb
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 4, 2021
Roche's last professional race came at the National Championships in Wicklow at the weekend, where he finished sixth in the elite road race having been a principle figure throughout the ride.
"After 17 years and over 1270 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 made racing in and for Ireland so special.
"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 few tears were shed, but luckily I have no regrets."
Roche will remain involved in the sport and is set to take up a consultancy role in Trinity Sports Management, which has acted as his management company for over a decade.
