FanPost

Emma Pooley announces her retirement from pro cycling

Bryn Lennon

Emma Pooley announces her retirement from pro cycling

Emma Pooley, three-time stage winner at the 2014 Giro Rosa and winner of the climber's jersey has today announced that she'll be retiring from professional cycling after the Commonwealth Games road race in an interview with the Cafe's own Sarah Connolly for Rouleur.

The announcement comes just days after the inaugural edition of La Course by the Tour de France, the women's one-day race held on the Champs-Élysées in Paris to coincide with the final stage of the men's Tour de France. Pooley was one of the more outspoken riders who was instrumental in setting up the race and has long been an advocate for improved equality in the women's sport.

Pooley's best known as a climber and a time-trial expert, so while the decision may be surprising to some, the shrinking number of climbing races on the women's calendar does provide a certain logic for the decision. In the detailed interview Pooley explains all the reasons behind her decision and why she's timed her retirement for now. She also reflects on her career in the sport and looks ahead to her new challenges.

In addition to the interview and story at Rouleur, Sarah's also got a recorded interview with Pooley and a compendium of links to videos and race moments that provide a great overview of Emma's career and classic Pooley moments.