KATY MARCHANT has retired from professional cycling – and will now spend more time on the family tractor.
Two years ago in Paris, the Leeds track sprinter, 33, achieved a lifetime goal – as part of Team GB’s victorious women’s team sprint squad.
That was her second Olympic medal, having been a bronze medallist in the individual sprint 10 years ago at the Rio Games.
In 2024, the mum-of-two reached her peak by also winning gold medals at world level and in the Velodrome at the European Championships.
During this summer’s Commonwealth Games, as she claimed silver in the team sprint in Glasgow, Marchant felt the urge to hang up her riding helmet and bike.
A year on from giving birth to her second son, Marchant does not want to commit to the next two years and try to hang on until the .
This is despite the California Games being the goal in July and the fact she had battled back to pro riding following in late 2024.
Yorkshire’s three-time Olympian said: “I’ve done this for 13 years, I am 33, and I have achieved more than I could have dreamt of.
“When I thought about retirement in the past, I said to myself: ‘You’ll know when you know. You’ll just know.’ And guys, I know.
“It hasn’t been a difficult decision. There were moments where I thought: Could I go on? Should I? I know what it takes to push on to another two years.
“I’m incredibly proud of where I have got to and what I have done. I don’t want to keep making those choices to do what it takes to get to LA.
“Going into the , I didn’t think this would be it. I was set on short-term goals.
“I had a day off at the Commonwealth Games and I just had this funny feeling. I felt something.
“I told team-mate Emma (Finucane) and explained my feelings.
“I told her: ‘If this is the last day I am racing ever, I want to flipping enjoy it – and I want you to enjoy it with me.’
“It felt like the stars were aligning. I had my best day riding my bike in the Keirin. I came home but decided not to make any rash decisions.
“I had a week off at home. But I wasn’t ready to go back to training. I’ve let it go.
“I have incredibly fond memories of my career. I wanted to finish the way I wanted to. I am sat here now smiling and my overriding feeling is of pride.
“I gave so much to the sport over the past 13 years and I have ridden all the highs and lows of the women’s sprint programme.
“There’s a small part of me who is sad that I won’t be part of that anymore. But I carry pride that I was a part of building that. And it’s a privilege to do it on your own terms.”
Marchant will spend more time with her kids on the family farm, which is run by husband Rob.
But she has no plans to go on reality TV shows like or into Australian the jungle in ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’
Several professional British cyclists – like fellow mum of two Dame Sarah Storey, who is on the 2026 show – have donned sequins for Strictly dancing.
She added: “I am a farmer’s wife through and through. And will be forever. That will be a part of my life. Hopefully a bigger part now I have more time.
“I will be driving the tractor through the summer. But I’m not entirely sure what is next for me. Watch this space.
“I’m the limelight type of person. I do massively believe I have a lot to offer within sport and high performance.”
