Former Movistar Team rider Héctor Carretero announces retirement aged 28

28-year-old Spaniard Héctor Carretero has announced his retirement from professional cycling after nearly a decade spent riding with Movistar Team and Equipo Kern Pharma.

Whilst not revealing a direct reason for the abrupt conclusion to his career, Carretero announced his news in a lengthy post on his official Instagram account. “I want to share with you that 2023 was my last as a professional cyclist," he begins. "I've been elite for seven years, and I've always cycled since I was eight. That's when my adventure in cycling began."

“What will I remember from all these years? Without a doubt, these are all the people and colleagues I have had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with. Also the incredible memories as a cyclist that I will never forget," concludes the Vuelta Asturias stage winner. "Cycling is and remains the sport that I carry in my heart and although one door closes, another opens. I look for new motivations and ideas in this world."