Adam Blythe has announced his retirement from professional cycling citing the mounting sacrifices needed to compete at the top level. The 30-year-old took to his Instagram page to make the announcement on Thursday morning.
'It's time for me to hang up my wheels as a professional bike racer,' Blythe wrote on his Instagram. 'I have seen the sport change a lot over the past decade, with the sacrifices getting greater and greater for a pro to keep competing at the top level.
'With this in mind, the time is now right for me to step away from racing, spend more time with my beautiful Mrs and three beautiful children while focusing on what else I can do in the sport.'
He continued by saying he was still 'in love' with the sport and that he hopes to continue his involvement after retirement.
Blythe finished his career after riding one season with the Belgian WorldTour team Lotto Soudal albeit with a reduced race schedule. Throughout 2019, the Yorkshireman also regularly featured as an analyst on Eurosport for the Grand Tours, where he and his collection of brightly coloured shirts became a hit with viewers.
Starting his career with South African continental team Konica Minolta-Bizhub, Blythe quickly stepped up to WorldTour level with Silence-Lotto where he spent three seasons.
He then moved to BMC Racing for the following two years before dropping back down to Continental level with NFTO.
This move helped the 30-year-old revitalise his career as he won the RideLondon Classic, a victory that earned him a year contract with Orica-Greenedge.
Moving to Tinkoff a year later, he then won the British National Championships road race, outsprinting Mark Cavendish and Andrew Fenn.
This result did not guarantee him a contract within the WorldTour as he dropped back to ProContinental level with Aqua Blue Sport. This move was destined for failure, however, as the team suddenly collapsed in 2018 leaving the riders and staff without contracts.
In the aftermath, Blythe was openly critical about the team's bike sponsorship with 3T and the use of its 1x Strada frame.
Blythe reflected on his career in his retirement message too and how it helped him get to where he is today.
'From racing around the country with my mates who I could still race with now, to riding Grand Tours and winning my home Classic race, RideLondon. I have grown up in the sport and it has been some journey to get me to where I am today.'