Ted King has announced today that the current season will be his final as a professional cyclist.  The 32 year old started his European campaign in 2009 and is currently in his seventh European professional season as a member of the Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling Team. 
 

“I'll forever love this sport and consider myself grateful to have earned such an international career,” King said. After racing domestically for three years with Bissell, King made the leap to Europe with the Cervélo TestTeam in 2009 before joining Cannondale-Liquigas in 2011.  

During his professional career King raced in the sport’s biggest events including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, World Championships, and Monuments such as Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. 

King says he will forever cherish his first-time experiences such as his first time on the Roubaix Velodrome, his first Grand Tour, his first victory, and his first World Championships wearing the red, white, and blue of the United States. “I can picture each of these vividly and that's something I'll value forever.”

"And I'm grateful to spend my last pro season on an American team with Cannondale-Garmin. Across the board I’m extremely happy here — my teammates, the directors, sponsors, camaraderie, and obviously the fans are all greater than I could have expected. It may seem like an odd contrast to decide to retire now when things are at such a high point, but I’m ready to tackle a new phase. That being said, I’m more inspired to thrive in the peloton than ever before and finish the season in the greatest way possible."

While leaving the professional ranks at the end of the current season, King plans to remain actively involved in cycling with the same vigor that drew him to it.

“Though I’m stepping away from pro racing at the end of the season, I still love riding my bike and will continue to do plenty of that.” said King. “Where early season meant the Spring Classics I’ll now look for classic adventures with the bike very much at its center. Additionally, I’ll be even more involved with the Krempels King of the Road Challenge and similar social, environmental, health, and causes related to the bike.”

King will also turn his attention to UnTapped, the energy company he co-founded in 2014.