Anthony Ravard (Ag2r) has decided to put an end to his career. Having suffered from back problems for the past couple of seasons, the sprinter was left off the Ag2r team for next season and made his decision to retire on Saturday evening.

There won't be any Anthony Ravard in the professional peloton next year. Having struggled with back problems for a couple of years, the French sprinter has decided that it makes no sense to continue his fight to find back to his best form.

Having started his career at Bouygues Telecom, he moved to Agritubel  for the 2007 season and one year later, he took his first win on a stage in the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe. Having joined Ag2r for the 2010 season, he established himself as one of the best French sprinters by clocking up a number of wins in 2010 and 2011.

During his career, he won 11 races, all on French soil, and apparently, he had a tendency to shine in certain races. He won the one-day race  Châteauroux Classic de l'Indre Trophée Fenioux three times and was victories on three different stages of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes and the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe. In 2011, he proved his versatile talent when he won the overall in the Etoile de Besseges.

Things started to unravel in 2012 when back problems hampered his performance. During the second half of that season, he abandoned most races and the trend has continued in 2013.

Having been informed by Ag2r that his contract won't be renewed, he took the decision to put an end to his woes on Saturday evening.

"It's frustrating not to be be able to continue, but it is also a relief," he told the Ouest-France newspaper."For three years, I have tried everything to make it better. I don't regret my decision."

"It's good to put an end to it," he added. "I asked my team not to race anymore this season. Then I will think about my future profession. I would like to be a fireman and continue in the cycling world. Being a director for an amateur team would please me."