Ellen van Dijk Retires: A Legacy in Cycling

Paris, July 30 (AP) — Renowned for her numerous accolades, Ellen van Dijk has announced her retirement from professional cycling, citing increasing concerns over dangerous crashes. The 38-year-old Dutch cyclist will hang up her wheels at the conclusion of this season. Her illustrious career includes an impressive tally of 70 victories across various categories. Among her achievements are three individual and three team world time trial titles, a world championship in the scratch discipline, five European titles, and a notable solo victory over 139 kilometers (86 miles) in the Tour of Flanders. Van Dijk, riding for Lidl-Trek, remarked, "I'm going to retire as a professional cyclist at the end of the season after 20 years. It's been a significant part of my life, a lengthy career I am immensely grateful for."

She added, "In the last two years, I've experienced numerous harrowing crashes, which have undoubtedly made me more apprehensive on the bike within the peloton and diminished my passion for road racing." Acknowledged among the elite in time trials, Van Dijk boasts 41 time trial victories and held the women's world hour record in 2022, riding just over 49 kilometers (about 30 miles) before it was surpassed. Expressing her gratitude towards Lidl-Trek, she stated, "It means a lot to me what this team did for women's cycling. Trek has always believed in and invested considerably in women's cycling, playing a pivotal role in shaping the sport as it stands today." (AP)

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