Aussie cyclist Lancaster retires

Athens Olympic gold medallist Stuart Lancaster has retired from cycling and will become an official with Team Sky.

Australian Olympian Brett Lancaster has retired from cycling to take up a role at Team Sky. (AAP)

Australian Olympic gold medallist Brett Lancaster has retired from competitive cycling to take up a role as sports director at Team Sky.

The 36-year-old, who won a team pursuit Olympic gold medal in 2004, ended his riding career with a four-year stint at the Australian Orica-GreenEDGE team.

"I'm very excited. It's a big move and I think you have to adapt from being a professional cyclist to being a sports director," Lancaster said.

"There's a lot to take on board and it's been pretty intense, but I'm over the moon."