Steve Peat announces retirement

Steve Peat (Santa Cruz Syndicate) announced his retirement from the world cup downhill circuit via a stunningly executed video.

Steve Peat will race his final year on the professional downhill circuit in 2016 Source: Getty Images

The 41-year-old British rider is one of the sport's biggest icons. He has 17 world cup wins to his name and, after years of chasing the rainbow stripes of a world championship victory, he finally had the perfect race run at the 2009 world championships at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra.

His quest for the title, and his several near misses, is documented in the film, "Wont Back Down".

Peat announced his retirement in this short video, "Cheers". 

“Competing at the highest level has given me everything but also takes everything,” he said in the film.

"Next year is time for my final World Cup season. My priorities may change but the fun and adventure that two wheels gives me will continue forever.”

While he describes world cup downhill racing as one of the toughest experiences in the sport, the video, shot in Norway's Lofoten Islands, shows the sport in a way that resonates with anyone who identifies with mountain biking as a lifestyle. It provides a fitting set of images and emotions to celebrate a man whose love of mountain biking has seen his professional career span an unusually lengthy 25 years.

“I’m constantly amazed by the adventure that two wheels can give me. Mountain bikes saved me from the dark side of what life can throw at you. I feel so lucky to have gained my family, my friends, and decades of fun from this sport." - Steve Peat

Filmmakers, Cut Media, have also released a behind the scenes version of the film, which showcases the work, prefessionalism and antics that have defined Peat's career, and likeability, at the top of the sport.