Australian rider Ella Simpson has announced her decision to retire from professional cycling for the time being, citing the need to prioritise her mental and physical health. The 22-year-old was in her first season with French ProTeam St Michel-Préférence Home-Auber 93.
Simpson’s statement was shared by her team on 22nd June, with the message: “I have made the decision to step back from racing for the foreseeable future, to prioritise my mental and physical health.” She added that the decision had not been easy but was necessary.
After a strong start to 2025, Simpson had shown promise with a 2nd place at the Australian National Championships road race and 5th in the time trial in January. She also wore the Australian U23 time trial champion’s jersey in 2024, and her WorldTour debut at the Tour Down Under saw her place 18th overall – a quietly impressive result in a stacked field.
Her final appearances in the peloton came at the Grand Prix de Chambéry and in the Ardennes at Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, though she did not finish those races. That stretch of DNFs hinted at a difficult period behind the scenes.
St Michel acknowledged her contribution with a warm message: “A big thank you, Ella, for these six months with us. We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.”
Simpson has not ruled out a return to the sport, referring to her departure as a step back “for the foreseeable future” rather than a full retirement. For now, her focus shifts away from the demands of racing, with a clear message about putting personal wellbeing first.
