Long-time Australian cyclist Mark Renshaw, the sprinter who became one of the sport's best lead-out men, will soon end his professional road career.
The 36-year-old Bathurst native has confirmed in a Dimension Data team statement that this season will be his last.
Renshaw turned professional in 2004 and he has ridden for six teams.
While Renshaw was a solid sprinter in his own right, he became the right-hand man for sprint ace Mark Cavendish and led out the British rider to many of his wins at races such as the Tour de France.
"I know it's the right time to step away from racing, my body and mind won't allow me to perform and compete to the level that's required for a race like the Tour de France," Renshaw said.
"I am very fortunate to be able to make the decision to finish this chapter of my life on my terms and I'm hugely excited about my future ventures."
The former national track team member broke his pelvis in a training accident last December and did not return to racing until March.
Renshaw had 17 Grand Tour starts, including 10 in the Tour de France.
Renshaw's personal highlights were his first professional win at the 2006 Tro-Bro Leon race in France and the overall win at the 2011 Tour of Qatar.
He also claimed two stage wins at Adelaide's Tour Down Under in 2007-08.
But Renshaw added an extra element to his career when he became a leadout specialist, particularly for Cavendish.
The British star was a notable omission from Dimension Data's lineup for this year's Tour de France, which starts on Saturday.
"Other great memories were the moments I was riding for team mates and their success, finishing second on the Champs Elysees to my team mate Mark Cavendish in the 2009 Tour de France was unforgettable," Renshaw said.
Renshaw said it was never in his plans to ride at this year's Tour.
His most recent Grand Tour was the May Giro d'Italia, which he abandoned in stage 13.
Renshaw rode for Australia at the world road championships, most recently in 2016, and also was on the track team at the 2004 Olympics.
At the Athens Games he rode in the points race, but was devastated at missing selection for the madison.
He was a member of the team pursuit combination that broke the world record at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, where Renshaw also won a gold medal in the event.
