Olympic gold medallist Dani Rowe announces retirement at age of 28

Olympic gold medallist Dani Rowe has announced her retirement from professional cycling.

The 28-year-old won team pursuit gold for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and also claimed three world and two European titles before switching her focus from the track to the road.

She then secured road race bronze for Wales at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

“Today marks both the end of one chapter in my career, and the start of a new one. As from today I’m announcing my retirement from professional cycling,” said Rowe in a statement on her website.

“After winning a medal in the Commonwealth Games I have won a major medal in all that I can in cycling and it’s now time to enter the next chapter of my life. I feel that it would have been an easier decision to carry on cycling, as it’s something that’s defined me since the age of 14.

“It’s a scary world outside of professional sport but one I’m willing to jump into with open arms taking opportunities that I wouldn’t have been able to when cycling. I’ve already got exciting plans in place for 2019, including how I remain in this amazing sport, and I look forward to sharing this with you in the New Year.”