Jimmy Casper brings down the curtain on his career after not being picked up for 2013
Jimmy Casper has decided to retire from cycling after being unable to secure a ride for the 2013 season.
Last Updated: 21/12/12 2:13pm
The veteran French sprinter spent the past year at Ag2r-La Mondiale but was unable to add to his total of 61 career victories.
Casper has been a consistent performer at the top level since reaching the professional ranks in 1998, one of his biggest achievements coming early in his career when he beat Erik Zabel four times in the Tour of Germany.
He struggled to confirm that early promise at Francaise des Jeux but a 2004 switch to Cofidis heralded the most consistently successful spell of his career, crowned by victory on the opening stage of the 2006 Tour de France in Strasbourg.
That was his only stage victory in his home race, but he did finish last overall on two occasions to 'win' the Lanterne Rouge award.
A career in coaching could now beckon for Casper, who said: "Given that no team offered me a contract for 2013, I am forced to bring an end to my career as a professional cyclist.
"I want to thank all of my teams for all these great moments of life, emotion, sharing and human experience - and for these victories.
"I hope to succeed in my re-adaptation in this cycling environment, which I love and which has given me so much."
