Professional cyclist Mike Woods announce plans to retire from the sport at the end of 2025, expressing his concern for its inherent dangers.
Canadian Cyclist Mike Woods Retires Amid Safety Concerns and Personal Sacrifices
Mike Woods, a 38-year-old Canadian cyclist, has announced his retirement from the sport at the end of the year. The news was shared by his team, Israel-Premier Tech, on Monday morning.
Woods, who has been a prominent figure in the world of cycling for over a decade, has finished on the podium at prestigious events such as the UCI World Championships and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. He also has stages of the Vuelta a Espana and Tour de France to his name.
However, the extreme dangers and physical toll of professional cycling have taken a significant toll on Woods' health and personal life. In his retirement announcement, he compared cycling to a "ludicrously dangerous sport" and highlighted the risks involved in racing at high speeds in close proximity to others.
Woods' career has been marked by multiple crashes and injuries, including a fractured collarbone and a lung infection. These incidents, combined with the intense demands of the sport and the time spent away from family due to the rigorous global racing calendar, have led him to reconsider his priorities.
Being a father has shown Woods how being one of the best riders in the world is at odds with being a good dad. He has avoided giving his kids kisses when he picks them up from school and has often slept in another room, separate from his family, in an effort to optimize his sleep.
Every aspect of Woods' life has been examined and studied to maximize his ability to ride a bike. Riding a bike 30,000-35,000 km every year is what puts food on his table and provides a roof over his head.
Despite the challenges, Woods has expressed gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career, from his family, team staff, and coaches. He feels a sense of luck to be doing his job as a cyclist, considering it a "pure luxury" constructed by human creativity.
Woods' retirement comes as a shock to the cycling community, especially given his recent successes. However, he believes that it is the right decision for him and his family. He expressed that anyone not born in the past century would not understand modern cycling and that he often thinks, "A million years ago, we were monkeys," while racing.
The departure of Woods from the sport also raises concerns about safety in professional cycling. Louis Kitzki, a German pro cyclist, retired at the age of 21 due to safety concerns in the sport. It is hoped that the retirement of experienced riders like Woods will lead to a broader discussion about safety measures and the overall wellbeing of cyclists.
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