After 15 years in the peloton, Alexander Kolobnev has decided to put an end to his career. 

In a long open letter published on his website, the Russian explains that he no longer had the same desire and energy and this has prompted him to retire while he still feels able to ride at a high level Citing notably Oleg Tinkov and Jens Voigt as inspirations, he has decided to change his life at 36 years of age he after he returned to the highest level in 2016 with Gazprom-Rusvelo following a short break.

His tenth place at the Tour of Tuscany was his best result, far from the pinnacle of his career and his victory in a stage at Paris-Nice in 2007, his second places at the Worlds in 2007 and 2009, his podiums at the Tour of Lombardy in 2009 and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2010 and a missed medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing  where he was 4th. 

He admits to having had difficulty in making the decision and did not mention any clear path for his future career.