Willem Wauters who wore the mountains jersey in last year's Giro d'Italia, has decided to retire. The young Dutchman has been riding at continental level in 2014 and no longer has the motivation to continue.

Willem Wauters has joined the long list of riders who have announced retirement in recent weeks. The 25-year-old Ducthman has decided to hang up his bike.

"Dear friends, after many years of wonderful racing, I have been in doubt for months now and I have decided to retire," he wrote on his Facebook page. "The desire and motivation to always be at 110% is lo longer there. It's time to start a new adventure and focus fully on it. I want to thank all those who have helped and supported me during my career. Thank you very much, I will never forget it."

Wauters turned professional with Vacansoleil-DCM in 2013 where he had been a stagiaire for the past two years. When the team folded, he was forced to step down to continental level and this year he has been riding in the colours of Verandas Willems. He took his only UCI victory when he won a stage of the 2011 U23  Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid. One year later he was close to a big win in the GP Stad Zottegem where he was beaten only by Svein Tuft.

In his only season in the WorldTour, he took part in the Giro d'Italia and wore the mountains jersey for a day.