The professional cycling career of Peter Velits is over. The 31-year-old Slovakian has announced that he will quit cycling as he has no team for 2017. Since 2014, he has been riding for BMC.

"It was coming. For two years, I've not been at my best. Since the operation of an artery in my leg in the spring of last year, I have not achieved any good results," he tells Sportky .

Velits was told early in the season that there would be no new contract with BMC. "My season started in January and the first race block lasted until the Tour de Romandie. The team then suddenly told that it would be good for me to look for another team. That surprised me.

"My managers then went looking for a new team. They did what they could by talking to Trek-Segafredo, FDJ and Bahrain Merida among others, but there was no interest. Maybe people think I feel frustrated and am disappointed. That's not how I feel. I just look forward to the next phase. "

Velits career gained momentum in 2007 when he became U23 world champion in Stuttgart. He did eight grand tours. In 2010 he finished second in the Vuelta behind Vincenzo Nibali (after the disqualification of Ezequiel Mosquera). In total he took seven victories, including three time trial national championships, a time trial in the Vuelta (2010) and the overall classification of the Tour of Oman (2012). Furthermore, he is a three-time world team time trial champion.

Twin brother Martin Velits was under contract with Etixx-Quick Step this year. His sporting future is still nothing known.