Wednesday 30 July 2014 10:37, UK
Emma Pooley has announced she will retire from professional cycling following Sunday’s Commonwealth Games road race.
The Olympic silver medallist is set to compete in the colours of England on the tough Glasgow course and bring to a close a highly successful career on the road.
In addition to her road time trial medal at the Beijing Games in 2008, the 31-year-old claimed the world time trial title in 2010 and is enjoying a strong season which that has included three stage wins at the recent women's Giro d'Italia.
Pooley will now turn her attention to a flourishing triathlon and running career, which has already yielded a win at the Lausanne Marathon in October 2013.
Pooley, who is the reigning British time trial champion, will line up in Thursday's road time trial event, before riding for England team-mate Lizzie Armitstead in Sunday's road race.
"Looking back, there are so many highlights," Pooley told Rouleur magazine. "I'm super lucky to have been a pro cyclist, but there are other things I dream of doing as well.
"I'm 31, which is a good age for endurance sports, and I'm sure I can do better in triathlon if I focus on it. I'm so excited about running through mountains.
"I have been mulling it over, and came to the conclusion that the Commonwealth Games is the perfect opportunity. It's a big event, it's almost at home, and I want to go out properly, when I have planned it and have no regrets."
