London 2012 gold medallist Dani Rowe (formerly Dani King) has announced her retirement from professional cycling. The 28-year-old won team pursuit gold at London 2012, and was also part of the gold medal-winning team pursuit squad at the World Championships from 2011 to 2013, and the European Championships in 2011 and 2013.
Rowe was awarded an MBE for her services to cycling, and switched to the road after 2014, racing for Wiggle, Cyclance and WaowDeals Pro Cycling.
This season saw her take third at the Women’s Tour and bronze at the Commonwealth Games road race in Australia, completing her set of major medals.
'After 14 years of dedicating my life to a bike, I’ve decided to go out on a high after the satisfaction of achieving everything and more in the sport that I ever set out to,' Rowe said in a statement on her website.
'To have been multiple National Champion, multiple European Champion, Commonwealth Games medallist, three-time World Champion, and have won Olympic Gold in my home country is more than I could have dreamed of.
'I feel that it would have been an easier decision to carry on cycling, as it’s something that’s defined me since the age of 14,' she added.
'It’s a scary world outside of professional sport but [it’s] one I’m willing to jump into with open arms, taking opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to when cycling.'
Rowe added that she already has plans in place for her future, hinting that she’ll remain involved with cycling and will announce more about her future in the new year.
Great Britain’s cycling team performance director Stephen Park was among those to pay tribute to Rowe, saying: 'Dani’s achievements and medal record are there for all to see, but for those who have worked closely with her, she has been not only a wonderfully talented bike rider, but also a true team player who has possessed all the qualities a coach could ask for in a rider.'