Simon Yates has retired

British rider Simon Yates has unexpectedly announced the end of his professional career. The cyclist representing Team Visma | Lease a Bike informed about his decision before the start of the season. He was one of the best riders specializing in stage races and also had notable successes in the Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour.

After the 2025 season, many well-known cyclists said goodbye to the professional peloton. Among them were Rafał Majka, Elia Viviani, and Arnaud Démare. Quite unexpectedly, 33-year-old Simon Yates of Team Visma | Lease a Bike joined this group, despite having one of the best seasons of his career behind him.

“I am deeplyproud of what I have manager to achieve and equally grateful for the lessons that came with it. While the victories will always stand out, the tougher days and setbacks were just as important. They taught me reselience and patience, and made the successes mean even more” Yates wrote in his official statement.

In recent years, the Brit established himself as one of the best general classification leaders in the WorldTour peloton. Racing in the colors of Team Jayco AlUla (under various names), he won the overall classification of the Vuelta a España and claimed multiple stage victories in all three Grand Tours.

He also wrote his name into the history of the Tour de Pologne UCI WorldTour, finishing on the podium of the race twice. In 2018, he claimed a spectacular stage victory in Bukowina Tatrzańska and ultimately finished second overall, losing only to Michał Kwiatkowski. Two years later, he placed third in the general classification, once again showing great form in Bukowina Tatrzańska – this time finishing third on the stage.

Simon Yates bid farewell to cycling at the very top. As a rider for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, he achieved his long-awaited victory in the Giro d’Italia, taking over the pink jersey on the penultimate stage. He later also claimed a stage win at the Tour de France, where he played a supporting role for Jonas Vingegaard.

As the Brit admitted, he had been thinking about ending his career for quite some time, and now – as a fulfilled rider – he can head into cycling retirement.