Ben King announces retirement from pro cycling

Ben King has confirmed his retirement from professional cycling after the 2022 season. The 33-year-old announced the news on his Instagram page this Tuesday.

King rose through the ranks at Kelly Benefits as a promising youth before joining the Trek-Livestrong team in 2009. He spent two years in the American development team before joining the RadioShack-Nissan team in 2011. Following stints with Garmin Sharp and Dimension Data, the he moved to the sport's second-tier with Rally Cycling, with the team rebranding as Human Powered Health at the start of 2022 where he is riding along several fellow countrymen. Having gotten wins at the Vuelta a España, Tour of California and several other races, he has pushed himself into a top level for American cycling this past decade.

“After 15 years as a professional cyclist, I’ve decided that 2022 will be my last season. I came into this sport as a scrawny homeschooled kid from the Blue Ridge Mountains... I could never have imagined how far this sport would take me, Now I have a wife, son, and daughter on the way. While I still love racing, I look forward to spending more time with the people I love and exploring my interests beyond cycling. It’s a lot to process because this is the world I’ve known for over half of my lifetime, but I believe the best is to come.” he wrote in his post.

As a rider, King also established himself as a devoted teammate and excellent domestique capable of working on the flat or in the climbs. His ability to check several boxes with minimum effort made him an excellent teammate and rider for team management. “I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences, the friendships, and for everyone who has supported me on this journey. What’s next is still taking shape but I’m excited and open to new opportunities,” he concluded. It’s not clear which race will close out King’s career but he is scheduled to race the Tour de Suisse later this month and has been hinted at riding the new Maryland Cycling Classic in September.