Visma | Lease a Bike says goodbye to experienced rider as contract is not renewed

Daniel McLay will end his professional career after this season. Visma | Lease a Bike informed the 33-year-old Brit that his expiring contract would not be renewed, prompting a search for a new team. That search proved unsuccessful, leading McLay to announce on Saturday via his social media channels that he would be retiring after the Tour of Guangxi.

“Pro cycling, thanks for having me,” McLay wrote in a lengthy thank-you note. The sprint specialist competed at all levels during his long career, riding for teams in France, Portugal, Belgium, the United States, and the Netherlands. He racked up ten victories, the last of which came in 2020 in the Tour of Portugal.

“What a ride it’s been, I can only be grateful for 11 years of being able to call my passion my job and even more grateful for the friends I’ve made along the way,” meanwhile, he also thanked the teams who gave him a shot in his early years.

It's not quite over yet for McLay, who will start in China on October 14 in the Tour of Guangxi. There, he may still have a chance to sprint without any real sprint leaders in the selection. The Dutch team is mainly aiming for the GC with Cian Uijtdebroeks, Thomas Gloag, and the young Jorgen Nordhagen.

“Not the most curated post to announce the end of my career but that wouldn’t be my style anyway,” he said, accompanied by some beautiful photos of a young McLay. “I have no idea what the future will bring for me or more accurately too many ideas and no decisions but I’m excited for whatever will come.”

“I’m sure I’ll always remain connected to cycling some way or another. But first one more race in China to finish off.”