New Zealand's Shane Archbold in the UCI Men's scratch race at the festival of speed in 2013 Photo: Dianne Manson/ Photosport
One of New Zealand's most versatile and distinguished riders Shane Archbold has announced his retirement after nearly a decade as a professional cyclist.
Archbold is a Commonwealth Games medallist on the track, London Olympian and World Tour rider.
The 34-year-old will finish his time with World Tour team Bora Hansgrohe in China next week.
"As they say all good things have to come to an end.
"After 20 years of dream chasing and nine years professional it's time to pull the curtain down on my cycling career.
"I have lived the best times and the worst. With some amazing people."
The South Canterbury rider, renowned for his 'flying mullet' hairstyle, first came into prominence in the Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney.
He won the silver medal in the 2011 world championships in the omnium which earned his selection for the London Olympics in 2012.
He was a star at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games both on the track and road. He won a gold medal in the scratch race, and rode brilliantly to set-up Tom Scully for the gold in the Points race.
He was also part of the Team Pursuit that won the bronze medal, and produced a stunning ride in the wet to set up Jack Bauer for the silver medal in the road race.
Archbold began his professional career on the road with An Post Chain Reaction in 2013, moving to Bora-Argon in 2015 which morphed into Bora-Hansgrohe World Tour team in 2017.
He moved back to Pro Continental with Aqua Blue Sport and then to Evo Pro Racing in 2019 before returning to Bora-Hansgrohe and the WorldTour in 2019.
Archbold, who developed into one of the next leadout riders with Deceuninck-Quick Step in 2020 and moved back to Bora Hansgrohe for the last two years.
Success came at home too, winning the national road championship in Cambridge in 2020 over fellow professional George Bennett.
He has ridden in three Grand Tours at the Tour de France in 2016 and 2020 and the Vuleta a Espana in 2019.
Cycling New Zealand's Graham Hunn said Archbold earned every bit of success he had enjoyed in his career both on the track and the road.
"We know him for his lavish mullet that he is so proud of, and his outstanding humour. But he is also a very smart and seriously competitive cyclist with a sharp mind for the sport.
"We wish him well and sure he is a bright future in our sport off the bike."
