News: Ed Clancy Retires from GB

Mr Team Pursuit, Ed Clancy has retired as of today and pulled out of Tokyo Olympics team pursuit due to back injury. It marks the end of a fantastic career spanning 16 years which has seen him become the most successful team pursuit rider in history.

News: Ed Clancy Retires from GB

Mr Team Pursuit, Ed Clancy has retired as of today and pulled out of Tokyo Olympics team pursuit due to back injury. It marks the end of a fantastic career spanning 20 years which has seen him become the most successful team pursuit rider in history.

Speaking of his withdrawal from the team pursuit, Clancy said: “I’m absolutely gutted that my Olympic career has ended this way, but it would be unfair of me to try to carry on now I have aggravated my back injury. Ultimately, I want the rest of the lads to build on the hard work we have done over the past year and a half and give them the best possible chance of making it on to the podium. I will be supporting them all the way.”

Clancy, who has been part of the Olympic gold medal-winning team pursuit quartet over the previous three cycles as well as having an Omnium bronze medal to his name, was one of the first riders to earn selection on to British Cycling’s now renowned Academy programme. He won his first world title in the team pursuit in 2005, aged just 20, with five more to follow during his career. Clancy is also the 2010 omnium world champion.

Clancy said: “I’ve spent just over 20 years on the Great Britain Cycling Team and I see it as my family. I have achieved more during my time than I ever could have dreamed of, it’s something I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s been a pleasure, to the extent that if I could go back in time I would do it all over again. It’s a tough call, because I’m enjoying it more now than I ever have done, but the difficult choice is usually the right one and right now is the time to go. I want to thank everyone – family, friends, coaches, trade teams, sponsors, British Cycling and everyone else who has supported me – my career success has been a big team effort.

“In terms of what’s next, I still love riding bikes and I plan on rounding out the season competing in UCI Track Champions League, as well as focusing on building up the Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy. I also really enjoy my ambassadorial role with Pro-Noctis so I would like to do more with them, and I definitely would love to stay connected with British Cycling. I have plenty of options, but right now I will be putting all my energy in doing what I can to support the Great Britain Cycling Team out here in Tokyo.”

In terms of the team pursuit events taking place today, Charlie Tanfield will join Ethan Hayter, Ethan Vernon and Ollie Wood in the line-up.”

We wish Ed all the best.
3x @Olympics Champion First place medal
6x @UCI_Track World Champion Earth globe americas

Picture: The start of Ed_Clancy ‘s journey in the Team Pursuit, LA in 2005 at the Worlds where the team won Gold. Ed rode the first round and Chris ‘Junior’ Newton handed him his medal for the photo. Was an honour to be part of the team there to capture history in the making