Caleb Ewan, one of Australian cycling’s most accomplished talents, has announced his immediate retirement, leaving the cycling world in shock. The 30-year-old sprinter shared the news on social media, revealing that the events of the past two years, particularly his messy departure from Australian team Jayco AlUla, had taken a significant toll on his relationship with the sport.
Ewan, a rider who once stood at the top of the cycling world, experienced a challenging period in his career, especially after his exit from Jayco AlUla. In his post, he expressed that the tumultuous time had affected him deeply, both mentally and emotionally. Although 2025 started with uncertainty as Ewan had no team, he made a successful return by joining the Ineos Grenadiers, one of the sport’s top British teams. He managed to win his first race back in late March, followed by another victory at a WorldTour event the next month.
While these wins demonstrated his undeniable talent, Ewan admitted that the thrill of victory, which once gave him immense joy, had faded quicker than it used to. Despite these victories, the emotional impact of the past seasons had taken a toll on him, leaving him uncertain about his future in the sport. He acknowledged that even though he had rediscovered his form and belief, the satisfaction of winning wasn’t as fulfilling as it once was. His post reflected a complex mixture of gratitude for the opportunity to race with Ineos and a sense of closure regarding his cycling career.
Ewan’s career had once seemed destined for even greater achievements. Back in 2021, he was one of the top sprinters in the world, and his ambition to win stages in all three Grand Tours seemed within reach. He had already won two stages at the Giro d’Italia, and his career was on an upward trajectory. However, disaster struck during the third stage of the 2021 Tour de France when he crashed and broke his collarbone. The injury required surgery, and despite a return to racing a few weeks later, Ewan was never quite the same.
This injury marked the beginning of a difficult phase in his career. Ewan’s departure from the Belgian team Lotto Dstny in late 2023 was under strained circumstances, and he eventually returned to Jayco AlUla, the team where he had started his professional career. However, things did not improve there, and by January 2025, his profile had mysteriously disappeared from the team’s website. This event marked a dramatic turn, but Ewan soon signed with Ineos Grenadiers, where he had a brief, albeit successful, return to the sport.
Throughout his 11-year career, Ewan built an impressive record, with five stage wins at the Tour de France and another five at the Giro d’Italia. He also became a two-time runner-up at Milan-Sanremo, one of cycling’s five one-day monuments, a title that eluded him despite his immense talent. Additionally, Ewan claimed nine stage wins at the Tour Down Under, making him one of the biggest stars in Australian cycling.
Reflecting on his journey, Ewan shared his gratitude for the experiences and accomplishments he had throughout his career, acknowledging that it had exceeded every expectation he once had. Despite his impressive record, he admitted that the passion that once drove him no longer held the same meaning, leading to his decision to retire. In his final message, Ewan expressed thanks to his family, including his wife Ryann and their three children, his manager Jason Bakker, and all those who supported him throughout his career.
