16 Aug 2017

Henderson calls time on cycling career

12:42 pm on 16 August 2017

Former world champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Greg Henderson has announced his retirement from cycling.

The 40 year old orginally from Dunedin announced his retirement on his website saying the recent Colorado Classic event was his last.

"Two days ago I competed in my last UCI race and it was a beautiful send off.

"I suffered badly for three days in the high altitude mountains in Colorado but on the final day I was able to do what I have made a healthy career out of. Find my way to the front of the sprint with my team mate Travis on the wheel and drop him off at 200m to go.

"Could not have asked for a more fitting race," he said.

Greg Henderson (left) competes at the national road cycling champs in Napier in 2016.

Greg Henderson (left) competes at the national road cycling champs in Napier in 2016. Photo: Photosport

Henderson competed in cycling's top flight event the Tour de France five times.

He won a gold medal in the scratch race the world track champs in Melbourne in 2004 and a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester in the points race.

Greg Henderson celebrates winning gold at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Greg Henderson celebrates winning gold at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. Photo: Photosport

He also picked up three other Commonwealth Games bronze medals at other stages in his career.

On the road Henderson had a skill iat being able to pick his way through the peloton.

"From relaxing on the back of the peloton one minute to being on the front the very next lap....It was my gift in cycling...positioning!

"I was a pretty quick sprinter also but never on the level on the road as Greipel, Cavendish or Kittle. If I was to beat these guys I had to use all my track craft and positioning skills and try start a few bike lengths in front. It didn't happen very often."

On the professional tour he won a stage on the 2009 Vuelta a Espana and had a strong reputation as a lead out rider, helping his Lotto Soudal teamate German sprinter Andre Griepel to numerous stage wins in his career.

Henderson said he quickly realised that if he was to good in the sport and have longevity he needed to focus on making himself a top class lead out rider to help the top sprinters.

"Who better to help than my good friend and beast of a bike rider Andre Greipel. His one chink in his armour was...positioning!! Bingo....lets work together.

Greg Henderson tucks in behind yellow jersey holder Chris Froome during the 2013 Tour de France.

Greg Henderson tucks in behind yellow jersey holder Chris Froome during the 2013 Tour de France. Photo: Photosport

"Five Tour de France later and about 100 wins together....pretty good combo I would safely say."

Henderson now intends taking up a coaching career.