Double Olympic champion Joanna Rowsell Shand retires from international cycling
Sunday 19 March 2017 17:57, UK
Double Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell Shand has announced her retirement from international cycling.
Rowsell Shand, 28, won the women's team pursuit at four editions of the World Championships (2008, 2009, 2012 and 2014) and took the gold medal in the same discipline at the Olympic Games in London and Rio in 2012 and 2016.
She also won the individual pursuit at the 2014 World Championship.
A statement read: "Having been part of the GB Cycling Team for over 10 years, travelling around the world racing my bike, today I am announcing my retirement from international cycling competition.
"I have achieved everything I've ever wanted to in cycling including five World titles, four European titles, Commonwealth Gold and two Olympic golds as well as countless World Cup and National Championship medals across both team and individual events.
"But more valuable than any of these are the special friends for life, amazing memories made, and the transformation from shy schoolgirl to confident woman.
"I have enjoyed this fabulous career and the decision to step away has been the hardest I've ever had to make, but now is the time for me to move on. I believe I have more to offer the world and I'm now looking forward to the next phase of my life and new challenges.
"I won't be stepping away from the cycling world completely and I'm enjoying doing some coaching work including setting up my own company, Rowsell Shand Coaching, and I'm also training for L'Etape du Tour in July which will be my longest bike ride ever.
"I want to finish by wishing the Great Britain Cycling Team the very best of luck for this Olympic cycle."
