British cycling star Ian Stannard forced to retire at 33 due to rheumatoid arthritis
Ian Stannard, one of the most successful British riders of the last decade, has been forced to retire from professional cycling at the age of 33 due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Stannard is probably best remembered for being the diesel engine at the heart of countless Great Britain and Team Sky victories, including Mark Cavendish’s 2011 World Road Race Championships win in Copenhagen and Chris Froome’s Tour de France successes in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
The Chelmsford-born rider - known as ‘Yogi' by his team mates, with whom he was extremely popular - was famed for his long turns on the front in any weather; chasing down breaks, shepherding his team leader or just riding tempo.
But he also had notable individual successes, including back-to-back victories at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2014 and 2015 - the second of them a bit of a collectors’ item in cycling due to the fact that he outwitted three Etixx-QuickStep riders, including Belgian great Tom Boonen, on their home turf - and stages of the Tour of Britain in 2016 and 2018.
Although Stannard was never able to pull off the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix title many felt he deserved, the 2012 British road race champion did take a notable third place at Roubaix in 2016 in a classic edition won by Matt Hayman.
A quiet, softly-spoken character, Stannard was part of the original Team Sky squad in 2010 and remained there for the rest of his career.
He was first diagnosed with arthritis 12 months ago and while he continued to race in 2020, starting his season in Australia in January prior to lockdown, he appeared only once after the season resumed in late July - withdrawing from the Tour of Poland on stage four.
Stannard’s team-mates were quick to pay tribute to him on social media. Luke Rowe, who joined Stannard at Team Sky in 2012, said on Instagram: “Many a smile spent chopping off with this big man. Always a good crack on and off the bike. Enjoy retirement Yogi Bear.”
Geraint Thomas, winner of the 2018 Tour de France who has also ridden for Sky and Ineos for his entire career, said: “Sad to see Ian Stannard retire, after over 20 years racing together. Going to miss you mate, but what a career.”
In a statement released by Ineos Grenadiers, Stannard said: "It's disappointing to have to stop like this but it is clearly the right decision for my health and my family. We have explored all of the options this year to deal with my condition, and the team has been there with me every step of the way.
"I started to hope that I could manage the problem during lockdown, but as soon as I returned to racing I knew that my body wouldn't be able to perform at any level anymore."
Ineos Grenadiers team principal Sir Dave Brailsford added: "Ian is a rider who gives so much to the race and his team-mates and we all know that he always leaves it all out there on the road.
"He is one of the hardest, grittiest riders there is, whether racing hard on the cobbles of Belgium or pulling on the front at the Tour de France.
"He has been a core part of our team since day one and we will miss him, but he can look back proudly on a career that's captured the true spirit of our sport and thrilled so many British cycling fans."
Reference: The Telegraph: Tom Cary