"I wanted to finish on a high, and I feel like I did" - Michael Woods promises his second retirement will be final
Cycling
Michael Woods retires after the 2026 Montréal World Championships for the second time. This time, he promises that there will be no backing out from his word after he had achieved his dream of bidding goodbye to professional racing in front of home crowds in Montréal.
Even though the location of this year's World Championships had been known long in advance, Woods originally had no plans to extend his active career beyond the 2025 season. Often haunted by injuries, the former middle-distance-runner would have been more than happy to have his farewell party at the 2025 Grand Prix de Montréal.... if only yet another injury had not prevented that from happening.
At first, Woods seemed content to let the 2025 Tour de France be the final race of his career, but as the time passed, the 39-year-old eventually heard the calling of home World Championships to make one final return to road racing.
After a 7th place at the National Championships, it was clear that Woods had not lost much of his ability over the year, and thus the Canadian coach did not hesitate to call up the veteran for Québec and Montréal GPs as well as the World Championships. Especially after Woods arrived 18th in Montréal, and Canada's leader Derek Gee-West crashed, forcing him to withdraw from the rainbow race.
Not the desired top-10, but still finishes on a high
The World Championships road race saw many attacks take place as soon as the peloton hit the Montréal circuit. Unfortunately for Woods, he had missed one of the important moments of the race, getting stuck behind thec enter of action. That was a tactical error as he found it impossible to move up after that. He finished the race in 35th place.
"Obviously, you dream or hope you can do a bit better. I was really hoping for the top 10 after [the GP] Montreal, but then getting sick kind of hit my confidence a bit," he said. "I wanted to finish on a high, and I feel like I did."
Read also
After the race, Woods was questioned whether he was really going to stop now, or there'd be a third retirement next year. He was adamant that he was actually, in fact, retiring. No triathlons or anything similar on the horizon.
He and his family will remain in Europe for the time being. "We’re going to stay in Andorra for now," he said. "But for sure, we’re going to return to Canada. Canada is my country. I’m proud to be from here."
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Wout was good, and he was good on Sunday trying to drag Remco back, but I watched the olympics. Remco seemed exception on a course perfect for him, and MVDP was a step behind.mij30-09-2026
- Why would Del Toro help pull back McNulty just to be out sprinted by Matthews, VDP, Simmons... He fired his bullets on his terrain and couldn't get away. Only way he was going to have a chance is in a 2 or 3 up sprintbreckvelo30-09-2026
- Hey Lance, Go away in a reproductive manner!Lobz7730-09-2026
- Context matters. From the way Onley blew up, it was clear that he knew he was struggling and probably told Pidcock that. Simmons finished 4th. Of course, Pidcock could have and should've taken the gamble
Rafionain-Glas30-09-2026 - Great story. Surprises me though that Sagan’s amazing career hasn’t produced more of a legacy of young Slovak talent.Lozza30-09-2026
- Del Toro did a LOT of work in that group, riding on the front and pulling it along. By the time McNulty attacked I should think he was mostly cooked!Lozza30-09-2026
- I don’t entirely agree with this @RidesHills. Whilst I can entertain what you’re arguing, writing off IDT’s inability to follow Pidcock purely as IDT being "gassed" ignores the complex tactical chess match happening on the road. IDT’s body language, in the final kms, showed plenty of hesitation, tactical marking, and looking around. With the addition of the WC pitting teammates against each other, there were several moments that indicated his behaviour was a calculated refusal to destroy McNulty’s, and by that extension, UAE’s chances of maintaining their hold on the rainbow stripes. We know IDT had the ability to win that race, I stand by the belief that he chose not to chase after his team mate. Whilst I was frustrated watching it… I can respect it.anonymouscyclist30-09-2026
- I guess the president is very happy to see one American win in Canada. Leave the president and politicians aside the sports. Was a great victory from a very smart move in the right moment. Quick Step won a lot of classics like this. Having numbers. Del Toro also played some part. Going to blame him? Thats a great friend. Also don't forget McNulty last time in Montreal. He was there with Pogacar. When big guns control each other others can win. Well done McNulty.
PAULO30-09-2026 - Not sure why you are hating on Americans but looking at cycling there are many more Europeans that cheated in cycling than Americans. Looking at the TdF's that Armstrong won, the top 5 -10 in all those doped and weren't Americans.GB30-09-2026
- if you get to within just 10 seconds and can't close the gap that's on you Tom and Mike. both of these losers wanted del Toro to help them which of course wouldn't be cross border collusion, it's only collusion if it's perceived that he's helping someone else besides them. sour grapes all around. bunch of pussies in the UK and Australia. bring a better team next time.whkman30-09-2026
Loading
Write a comment