Caleb Ewan has announced his retirement from professional cycling with immediate effect, ending an 11-year career that saw him rise to become one of the most prolific sprinters of his generation. The Australian, still just 30 years old, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram on 6th May, bringing the curtain down on a career that delivered Grand Tour stage wins, Classics success, and numerous accolades.
In a candid and reflective statement, Ewan acknowledged that although his passion for racing had defined his life for over a decade, that fire had faded in recent years.
“After much thought, I’ve decided to retire from professional cycling, effective immediately,” he wrote. “This sport has been a major part of my life, shaping my path and offering experiences I’ll carry with me forever.”
Ewan expressed gratitude for his time with INEOS Grenadiers in 2025, the final team of his career, where he felt “trusted, respected and like myself again” after two challenging seasons.
“They gave me space, trust, and the environment to rediscover what I am capable of. I won again. I felt like myself again and I felt respected again,” he said. But despite a return to winning form, the feeling of elation at crossing the line had dulled. “Even when I crossed the line first, that feeling – the one you chase for years – faded quicker than it used to.”
A decade of speed and results
Ewan turned pro in 2014 with Orica–GreenEDGE, and by the following year had already won a Grand Tour stage at the Vuelta a España. His sharp acceleration and low, aerodynamic sprinting style quickly made him one of the peloton’s most feared finishers.
He claimed stages at all three Grand Tours, including five at both of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. His crowning moment arguably came in 2019 when he won three stages in his debut Tour, including a sprint victory on the Champs-Élysées.
He also found success on home soil, repeatedly winning at the Tour Down Under and Herald Sun Tour, and wore the Australian jersey at both the Commonwealth Games and World Championships in his U23 years.
His time with Lotto–Soudal from 2019 to 2023 delivered many of his biggest results, but by 2022 the wins had dried up. He ended that year as the “lanterne rouge” of the Tour de France and only won once in 2023. After parting ways with Lotto–Dstny, Ewan returned to Jayco–AlUla for 2024, briefly regaining form with a win at the Tour of Oman before negotiating a short stint with INEOS Grenadiers in early 2025.
The end, on his terms
Ewan admitted the second half of 2024 took a toll on his relationship with the sport, but he was proud of the way he ended his career.
“I’m happy I didn’t let that period define the end of my career, and I am proud of what I achieved in a short but successful time,” he wrote.
While his final months saw a brief revival under new colours, the decision to step away now seems grounded in clarity rather than disappointment. Ewan exits the sport with 74 pro wins, including 11 Grand Tour stages, a standout record few sprinters can match.
Main photo credit: Getty
