Australian cycling star Katrin Garfoot has just decided to retire from cycling after claiming that she does not longer feel the passion for training.
She announced her decision to retire only a couple of hours ago saying that she will no longer become part of any cycling activity staring today.
Garfoot, 36, first started cycling seven years ago when she was 29 years old and despite the fact she was older that most of the new entrants in the sport, she was able to become one of the best time trial cyclists of her generation.
Garfoot has won silver in last year’s World Road Race and a bronze in the Time Trial race.
Only this year, the three-time national time trial champion grabbed gold in the Commonwealth Games’ Time Trial which took place in April.
“I am content with my journey over the past few years. I thank everyone involved and everyone who supported me,” Garfoot said on an official press release which Cycling Australia issued.
“After the Commonwealth Games I wanted to see if life swept me up and it sort of has. I did not feel like training anymore. My cycling career was an intense time for me and now I want to enjoy life with my friends and family. A lot of people asked me ‘what comes next for you’. I am not certain of what that is, but I am taking my time to mull over some ideas and see what comes of it.”
Turning professional
Garfoot was able to turn professional in 2014 with Orica-AIS. She remained with the same squad throughout her amazing but short career.
“From her first race with her local club to the absolute pinnacle representing her adopted country at the Olympic and World Championships, Kat has had an amazing cycling journey. While Kat’s international results are worthy of high praise, it is her passion, dedication and commitment to excellence that will be her lasting legacy,” Cycling Australia boss Steve Drake said about Garfoot.
“Kat is clearly a gifted athlete, but she has also provided a great example to women that it is never too late to try competitive cycling. We wish Kat all the best in the next chapter of her life and we hope to see her around a bike race very soon.”