Mark Renshaw announces he will retire at the end of the season, aged 37
The Australian has played a huge role in the success of team-mate Mark Cavendish
Mark Renshaw has announced he will retire at the end of the 2019 season, when he will be 37 years old.
The Dimension Data rider has been an intrinsic part of Mark Cavendish’s lead-out train, with the pair working together to score wins on the biggest stages.
Australian Renshaw will call time on his 16-year professional career at the end of the season, saying he is unable to compete in races like the Tour de France.
In a statement released on Thursday morning (July 4), Renshaw said: “After 16 years, I’m proud to announce that 2019 will be my final year as a professional road cyclist.
“Looking back on my career it’s very gratifying to note the individual successes, as well as being a major component in victories for my team-mates.
“Being a key part of these victories has certainly been a career highlight and motivated me to perfect the role of a lead-out rider.”
Renshaw started his career with Française des Jeux in 2003, going on to ride for some of the most successful sprint teams in the peloton like Columbia-HTC and Etixx – Quick-Step, before joining South African outfit Dimension Data in 2016 where he will see out the remainder of his career.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Cavendish and Renshaw first teamed up in 2009 at Columbia-HTC and have had phenomenal success together, with Renshaw contributing to 19 of the Brit’s 30 Tour de France stage wins.
Renshaw said one of his fondest memories was finishing second to team-mate Cavendish on the Champs-Élysées on the final day of the 2009 Tour de France.
Both Cavendish and Renshaw have been left out of the Dimension Data squad for the 2019 Tour de France,
He added: “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.
“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.”
Renshaw has notched 12 career wins for himself despite his role as a support rider, including his first win at Tro-Bro Léon in 2006, two stages of the Tour Down Under, a stage and the overall at the 2011 Tour of Qatar and two stages of the Tour of Britain.
He said he hopes to stay apart of the sport in some way, but also hopes to pursue other passions while spending more time with his family.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Fabio Aru officially signs for Qhubeka-Assos as he looks to reboot his career
Fabio Aru finally announces that he will be joining Qhubeka-Assos for the 2021 season after several transfer rumours went around
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling announce new headline sponsors
NTT Pro Cycling has announced its new headline sponsors, bringing an end to the uncertainty around their future.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Bjarne Riis leaves NTT Pro Cycling after just one year as manager
Bjarne Riis is leaving NTT Pro Cycling after just one season as team manager.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling boss Bjarne Riis says ‘time is running out, it’s not looking good'
The fate of NTT Pro Cycling still looks bleak, as the team’s boss says there is still no new sponsor lined up.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
NTT Pro Cycling left searching for new sponsor as NTT pulls out
NTT Pro Cycling is facing an uncertain future as headline sponsor NTT has pulled out of the team.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Bjarne Riis 'confident' NTT will continue into 2021 season
The Dane is aiming for stage wins at the Tour de France to try and attract new sponsors
By Jonny Long Published
-
Giacomo Nizzolo wins European Championships road race in dramatic sprint finish
Nizzolo beat Arnaud Démare and Pascal Ackermann to become the 2020 European champion
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Victor Campenaerts is sleeping at 4,700m in altitude tent ‘to feel like a rider who took EPO’
Time trial star Victor Campenaerts has revealed he is sleeping at 4,700 metres in an altitude tent, so he can “feel like a rider who took EPO.”
By Alex Ballinger Published