Canadian Cyclist Michael Woods Retires After Landmark Career

Canadian cyclist Michael "Rusty" Woods has announced his retirement from professional road cycling at the end of the 2025 season, concluding over a decade-long career marked by resilience and significant achievements. Woods, who began cycling at 25 after a successful running career and became the first athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile and complete the Tour de France, has won multiple stages at the Vuelta a España and the Tour de France, including a memorable 2023 Tour de France stage victory. Throughout his career, he earned global recognition for his endurance and determination, securing a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championships and notable podium finishes like second place in the 2018 Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Woods cited the physical toll, numerous injuries, and the sacrifices required, especially regarding his family life, as key reasons for his retirement; he detailed the challenges of maintaining peak performance while balancing fatherhood and personal health. Despite retiring from professional cycling, Woods expressed ambitions to continue exploring endurance sports in new ways. His final races are expected to include the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec, Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal, and possibly the World Championships, marking a poignant farewell to an extraordinary career.