Retiring Ryan thanks his home supporters
Timaru’s world champion track cyclist, Marc Ryan, has called time on his glittering career.
The 33-year-old team pursuiter will not compete at the Rio Olympics in August, saying the time was right to go.
‘‘It’s been a big decision, but I feel like it’s time. I’ve actually tried to retire twice before.’’
Ryan has had an outstanding career, spanning 13 world championships, and over that time has been an integral part of the New Zealand pursuit team.
His impressive medal collection includes a world championship gold and two Olympic bronze medals, from Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
He also has four Commonwealth Games medals and three other world championship medals.
Ryan said he would like to especially thank the people of South Canterbury for their extraordinary support over his career.
‘‘It’s been fantastic, really. Everyone has been great helping out, especially in the early days.
‘‘I always really enjoyed coming home.’’
Ryan said he had not given riding away totally and could still turn up at the next Twizel-Timaru race.
However he was looking to the future and at possibly taking up a coaching role.
Ryan said he would miss the camaraderie of the team but not flogging himself each day on the bike.
He was sure he would not have any pangs of regret when the Olympics started, he said.
‘‘If the team win in Rio, I will be really happy for them and know I’ve played a part.’’
Ryan said looking back he couldn’t really believe what he had done and where he had been.
‘‘Not every South Canterbury lad can get to say they have been to the places cycling has taken me around the world.’’
The best part was the ‘‘really good friendships’’ he had made along the way, all around the globe.
Ryan said the nature of team pursuit had changed significantly in recent years and no longer really suited him.
‘‘I’m an old-fashioned team pursuiter who likes to do a lot of road racing to get my fitness for the track.’’
‘‘But team pursuit is now a real power-based sport, with a lot more work needed in the gym. ‘‘That’s not me.’’ He has been the South Canterbury Sportsperson of the Year a record five times and is one of only two Olympic medallists to have come from Timaru Boys’ High School.
The other one was Jack Lovelock, who won the 1500m at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.