LONDON — Lizzie Deignan, a prominent British cyclist and former world champion, has announced her plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2025 cycling season. This decision marks the end of an illustrious career that has spanned nearly two decades.

Deignan made history at the 2012 London Olympics by becoming the first British athlete to earn a medal on home turf, capturing a silver in the women’s road race. She recently participated in her fourth Olympic Games in Paris, where she finished 12th in the road event.

In a statement released by her Lidl-Trek team, Deignan confirmed her one-year contract extension. This extension allows her to conclude her cycling journey at the end of the upcoming season, solidifying her legacy in the sport.

At 35, Deignan initially found success on the track before establishing herself as a specialist in one-day racing events. Her impressive achievements include winning the coveted rainbow jersey at the 2015 world championships and numerous accolades in major road races. She gained widespread recognition after winning the 2016 Tour of Flanders, the 2020 Liege-Bastogne-Liege, and notably, the first-ever Paris-Roubaix Femmes in 2021. Deignan stands out for becoming the only female cyclist to achieve the prestigious ‘triple crown’ of women’s monument classics.

Reflecting on her decision to retire, Deignan shared her perspective: “Often people say, ‘Retire on the top.’ But I have no ego or necessity to retire at the top. I’m really happy to go full circle and be somebody that helps other people win bike races again.”

In 2018, Deignan temporarily stepped back from competitive cycling to welcome her first child. Initially intending to retire sooner, she was persuaded by her team to continue competing. “The reason I initially wanted to retire was because I no longer have the motivation for my own results,” she explained. “They spoke to me and offered me a contract in the vein of being a road captain and somebody that can mentor the younger riders coming through. That kind of sparked a bit of motivation in me, and I thought, yeah, actually that’s something that I am really motivated by. I really enjoy bringing out the best in the people around me. I still love cycling.”