Amanda Spratt, one of Australian cycling's all-time greats, has announced she will retire at the end of this season.
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The three-time Olympian and mixed relay world champion is the latest major Australian name to either flag retirement or confirm their professional career is over.
Simon Clarke, like Spratt one of the most respected figures in the professional peloton, will compete for the last time in January's domestic road races.
Former national road champions Alex Edmondson and Miles Scotson and Michael Hepburn, a founding member of the Australian GreenEDGE team, all confirmed at the end of last year that they had retired.
Spratt, 38, rode for Australia at the London, Rio and Tokyo Olympics.
She plans to go out blazing, saying in her Instagram announcement there was still plenty of "fire in the belly".
"I still really love racing, I love the process of working towards a goal. I love being around my teammates and helping them achieve their dreams," she said.
"But I have made the decision to choose where my finish line is so, 2026 will be my last year as a professional cyclist.
"Cycling has given so much to me. It's part of who I am and always will be. One thing that I'm really grateful for about my career is the longevity that I've had and there are so many people that have supported me both near and far over the last 30 years.
"Announcing now means that I get the chance to share every moment of my last season in the peloton with those who have made my career so special.
"2026 - fire in the belly - let's go!"
Spratt was second in the 2018 world titles road race and third the following year, thwarted only by the powerful Dutch team.
The Sydney-born rider finally won a hard-earned world title last year as Australia defended its mixed relay championship.
Spratt made a speedy recovery from major surgery in late 2021 to fix iliac artery endofibrosis, a rare condition that has afflicted several top cyclists.
The three-time Australian road champion will compete on Sunday at the nationals in Perth.
She has ridden for the Lidl-Trek team since 2023.
Hepburn and Edmondson won Olympic silver on the track in the team pursuit, as well as enjoying long professional road careers.
Australian Associated Press
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