Cycling: Lizzie Holden to retire after final race in China 

Manx athlete had been suffering with injuries prior to announcement 

Isle of Man cyclist Lizzie Holden is set to retire from the sport.

Holden, who is currently competing in the Tour of Chongming Island in China, has taken to Instagram to announce the news.

In the post, she said she'll 'be forever grateful for having been able to call cycling my “job” for so many years'. 

The 28-year-old, who races for UAE Team ADQ had been suffering with injuries after a crash at the Simac Tour last month, and returned to the track 'earlier than expected'. 

In the statement, she says: "After a difficult few years, losing a lot of confidence on the bike, and finally a crash resulting in a broken collarbone, numerous broken ribs and a punctured lung it feels like the right time to move on to a new chapter."

Holden has also thanked Manx 'legend' Dot Tilbury for "everything she's done for IOM cycling and getting myself and so many others involved and enjoying [the sport]".

Looking to the future, Holden says 'I don’t know exactly what will be next yet, but feeling a mix of scared & excited to see what else is out there'.

Some of her career highlights include a win at the 2023 National Championships Great Britain time trial,  as well as taking part in the revived Tour de France Femmes in 2022

Other career best results include: fourth overall at the 2022 Lotto Belgium Tour, second on a stage of the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana in 2020, and third in the road race at the British National Championships in 2019.

ProCylingUK described Holden as closing a career 'defined by resilience, professionalism and quiet determination, qualities that made her a respected figure in the peloton both in Britain and abroad.'

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Elizabeth Holden (@lizzieholden)