Mark Renshaw announces retirement at the end of 2019
Jul 04 2019 08:03 pm CET
Team Dimension Data
Dimension Data's Mark Renshaw has announced his retirement at the end of the 2019 season. The Australian will finish his career after 16 years in the professional peloton.
The rider has been in the African team since 2016 and has been in diverse teams that include Francaise des Jeux, Credit Agricole, Columbia-HTC, Rabobank, Blanco and Etixx-Quick-Step. "Looking back, I have had a very fulfilling career as a professional cyclist both on the track and road," he commented.
"During this time, I have been particularly lucky to have had many family members and friends that have had to make great sacrifices for me to succeed. To them, I can’t thank you enough. Your support and encouragement has meant that I have always strived to perform at my highest level be it for my trade teams or representing my country."
Renshaw has many moments in his career that will stay with him after his retirement. "Some of my best memories were my first victory in the French Cup race, Tro-Bro Leon," he commented. "It was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders at that moment in my career while winning a stage and the general classification in the Tour of Qatar are memories that make me smile thinking back over my career. 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.
"I’m not riding this year’s Tour de France but this was planned from early on in the year. It’s a race that has played a massive part in my career and in my eyes is the greatest sporting event in the world. I have been fortunate enough to be selected 10 times and have loved every moment of the Tour. I can’t wait to watch what promises to be an exciting race and am fully supporting Team Dimension Data as they continue to bring the Qhubeka story to the world stage."
The Australian is already looking forward to his life after professional cycling, but first to the remaining months in the peloton. "I’m trusting 2020 and beyond will allow me to stay within the sport in some way but also provide an opportunity to chase some other passions that have had to be pushed aside, while also being able to relax with family and friends," Renshaw explained. "I am most looking forward to being able to spend more time being a dad to Will, Olly and Maggie and giving my wife Kristina some extra support.
"I am looking forward to enjoying the remaining races of 2019 with the goal of performing to my absolute maximum as we continue to chase good results for the Team Dimension Data. I know that we will share many laughs and enjoy the final few months of the season with my current team mates and staff.
"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."
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