Team GB and British Cycling has today confirmed that Ed Clancy has withdrawn from the remainder of the Tokyo 2020 team pursuit competition as a result of an on-going back and sciatica issue, marking the end of a fantastic career spanning 20 years which has seen him become the most successful team pursuit rider in history.
Charlie Tanfield will join Ethan Hayter, Ethan
Vernon and Ollie Wood in the team pursuit quartet for the remainder of the Games.
Speaking of his withdrawal from the team pursuit, Clancy said: “I’m absolutely gutted that my Olympic career has ended this way, but it would be unfair of me to try to carry on now I have aggravated my back injury. Ultimately, I want the rest of the lads to build on the hard work we have done over the past year and a half and give them the best possible chance of making it on to the podium. I will be supporting them all the way.”
Clancy, who has been part of the Olympic gold medal-winning team pursuit quartet over the previous three cycles as well as having an Omnium bronze medal to his name, was one of the first riders to earn selection on to British Cycling’s now renowned Academy programme. He won his first world title in the team pursuit in 2005, aged just 20, with five more to follow during his career. Clancy is also the 2010 omnium world champion.
Clancy said: “I’ve spent just over 20 years on the Great Britain Cycling Team and I see it as my family. I have achieved more during my time than I ever could have dreamed of, it’s something I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s been a pleasure, to the extent that if I could go back in time I would do it all over again. It’s a tough call, because I’m enjoying it more now than I ever have done, but the difficult choice is usually the right one and right now is the time to go. I want to thank everyone – family, friends, coaches, trade teams, sponsors, British Cycling and everyone else who has supported me – my career success has been a big team effort.
“In terms of what’s next, I still love riding bikes and I plan on rounding out the season competing in UCI Track Champions League, as well as focussing on building up the Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy. I also really enjoy my ambassadorial role with Pro-Noctis so I would like to do more with them, and I definitely would love to stay connected with British Cycling. I have plenty of options, but right now I will be putting all my energy in doing what I can to support the Great Britain Cycling Team out here in Tokyo.”
Stephen Park, Performance Director for British Cycling, said: “I admire Ed for taking the decision to retire from the sport which he still has a strong passion for. I know it was tough for him having to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on account of his back issues, but his professionalism and honesty led him to make this decision and he can hold his head high knowing he was part of the quartet who posted the fourth fastest time in an event we know would be incredibly competitive.
“Through his domination in the team pursuit and by winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals, Ed has played a big part in driving the event forward, to the extent where we are witnessing the times we saw posted in Berlin and what we saw yesterday in qualifying.
“Away from the bike, Ed embodies the values of our team and has become a trusted mentor to his younger teammates. It’s been a pleasure to support Ed with his fantastic achievements and on behalf of everyone on the Great Britain Cycling Team, I wish him the very best of luck for the future, and I hope he keeps some involvement with us.”
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