Talented Norwegian sprinter Jo Kogstad Ringheim has decided to end his career. Instead, he will focus on his studies.

A few days ago, Team Joker announced the squad for 2015 and one of missing riders was sprinter Jo Kogstad Ringheim. The reason has now been revealed: the 23-year-old Norwegian has announced his retirement to concentrate on his studies in industrial economics at the University of Trondheim.

"This year I had great ambitions, but things did not go as I had hoped," he explained to procycling.no. "This is why I decided to focus on my studies."

The former Team Joker rider only blames himself for the below-par season.

"I got on very well with the team which allowed me to have every opportunity to do well and it was just my fault that the results were not good. Now I realize that the chances of getting a contract with a top level team are close to zero."

Despite his young age, the Norwegian rules out that he will return to cycling.

"When you make this choice, you need to be convinced and it is clear that I am not going back. I am very grateful to the sport for everything it has given to me"

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Ringheim raced with Argon 18 (2012), People4you (2013) and Joker (2014) without ever winning. His best result was a second place in a stage of  Okolo Jiznich Cech in 2014 where he was beaten in a bunch sprint by Daniel Hoelgaard who is coincidentally the rider  who will replace him in the role of Joker sprinter in 2015.