Simon Yates announces shock retirement from cycling

Simon Yates announces shock retirement from cycling
Simon Yates with the Giro d'Italia trophy in 2025
Simon Yates began his professional career in 2014 [EPA]

Two-time Grand Tour winner Simon Yates has announced his retirement from cycling with immediate effect.

The shock announcement comes just seven months after the 33-year-old Briton clinched a thrilling victory at the 2025 Giro d'Italia.

The Visma-Lease a Bike rider also claimed his third stage win at the Tour de France in July last year.

Yates, whose first Grand Tour title was the 2019 Vuelta a Espana, joined the Dutch team on a two-year contract before the 2025 season.

"[Winning the Giro d'Italia] was one of the major goals of the season, for us as a team and for Simon personally," said Visma's head of racing Grischa Niermann.

"The fact that he also went on to win a stage in the Tour de France underlines his class."

Yates and his twin brother Adam turned professional in 2014 with Australian team Orica-GreenEdge, now known as Jayco-AlUla.

More to follow.