Anne de Wildt retires at 22

Anne de Wildt

Argos-Shimano has announced via its website that Anne de Wildt has decided to retire from competition. "I find it increasingly difficult to motivate myself for training and races," says the rider. "Because of that I can’t provide what is required and, therefore, I have decided to end my career as a rider with Team Skil-Argos."

Now aged 22, de Wildt's early career showed great promise with overall victory at the Tour of Usquert and a stage win and second place overall at the Irish Rás na mBan in 2008, which saw her move int the upper echelons of women's cycling. 2011 brought some good results including five top ten finishes, but she hasn't been able to dd anything in 2012 - which has, presumably, contributed to her disillusionment.

"Of course we regret that Anne is going to stop, but we respect her choice," says Argos team leader Sharon van Essen. A popular rider in her native Netherlands, de Wildt will be missed by fans too. She will now concentrate on her nursing career.