Canadian Cycling Star Michael “Rusty” Woods to Ride Into Retirement After Illustrious Career
Michael “Rusty” Woods, the iconic Canadian climber who remarkably transitioned from a world‑class runner to a decorated road cyclist after age 25, has announced he will retire at the end of this 2025 season. Reflecting with gratitude and candor on a journey filled with triumphs, trials, and sacrifices, Woods shared his decision via a heartfelt blog post, affirming that the “time is right” to step off the bike and embrace the next chapter.
A Story of Late Blooming Brilliance
Originally a standout middle-distance runner, Woods’ promising track career was derailed by a persistent stress fracture. To stay active during recovery, he hopped on his father’s bike—and though clueless at first, his curiosity quickly evolved into passion. Just years later, the once-track athlete would go on to conquer slopes in Grand Tours.
Despite starting cycling professionally in his mid-20s, Woods soared—capturing stage victories in the Vuelta a España (2018, 2020, 2024) and clinching the steep Puy de Dôme climb to win Stage 9 at the 2023 Tour de France. He also earned a podium at the 2018 UCI Road World Championships and became the first Canadian to podium at Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
The Price of a Dream
Now 38, Woods opened up about what weighed heaviest—not just on his body, but on his family. “I am now 11 years deep into being a professional cyclist, before which I spent two years as an amateur,” he reflected. “The toll on my health and the time away from my family has been profound.”
He revealed personal sacrifices that speak volumes—avoiding kisses from his kids at school pickups to dodge illness before races, sleeping in a separate room to optimize rest, and calibrating every detail of his life purely to maximize performance. “That all-encompassing pursuit I’ve loved—yet it can only be sustained for so long.”
Woods also called pro cycling “a ludicrously dangerous sport,” comparing a rider’s risk to being forcibly ejected from a slow-moving car hundreds of times a season. “Statistically, that’s what the average pro rider experiences in crashes,” he noted, underscoring how few people would willingly endure such stakes.
Rusty Woods legacy: A Legacy Carved in Pedals and Heart
Woods’ retirement marks the end of a rare and remarkable journey—from sub‑4‑minute miler to Tour stage winner, from setback to podium, from youthful runner to seasoned leader. His story has resonated deeply with fans and fellow athletes alike.
As he steps away from racing, he leaves behind a legacy of resilience, firsts for Canadian cycling, and a life lived chasing passion. But Woods hints that this isn’t the finish line: “I still have big ambitions—and epic plans to explore new arenas in endurance sports.”
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