April 15, 2017 (Boischatel, Que.) – Reigning Elite Men’s CX champ, Jeremy Martin (Focus CX Team Canada) from Boischatel, Que., has announced his retirement from professional cycling on social media. The news comes as somewhat of a surprise as Martin earned his first national title at the 2016 Canadian Cyclocross Championships in Sherbrooke, Quebec last November.

“A new chapter is starting for me and it’s both a bit scary and exciting,” he wrote on Instagram. “This is not an easy decision, but after a few months of reflections, I have decided to stop racing at the professional level. I’ve created so many good friendships and memories over the last decade, it’s been the best learning experience I could think of.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who supported me along the way, you all made a difference and helped shape the person I am today. You won’t see me towing the line of the biggest races anymore. But don’t worry, I’ll keep riding as much as I can, because to me, cycling is the most beautiful sport of them all! I am very grateful for your support over the years! Cheers!”

Martin, who turns 25 this May, has notably represented Canada in both mountain biking and cyclo-cross and has also competed at a high level in road cycling. At the recent 2017 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Bieles, Luxembourg, Martin finished 47th as the second best Canadian among the elite men behind Michael van den Ham in 38th, with fellow Canuck Mark McConnell 55th, as Belgium’s Wout van Aert defended his world title.

Martin joined the newly formed Focus CX Team Canada in 2016 founded by Aaron Schooler who was also on the Elite men’s CX national podium finishing second with Geoff Kabush (Scott) in third.

“It was a great pleasure working with Jeremy Martin the last couple years. He is a very big talent, and one of the athletes who fully understands the complexities of what it takes to be the best in his sport both on and off the bike. We will miss him at Focus CX Canada, as his shoes will be big ones to fill.  We wish him well in his future endeavors and know he will be a valuable asset in his new career,” said Schooler.

Martin had strong results leading up to the 2016 CX Nationals making him one of the favourites. In Sept. last year at the Rochester Cyclocross in New York he was the top Canuck placing 5th in the Elite men’s race. Then in October, he was the top Canadian in his category again at the Cincy3 Kings CX in Ohio, finishing 11th. Earlier in May at the Whiskey 50 Off-Road MTB race in Prescott, AZ he was just off the podium finishing 4th in the Pro Men’s race.

He kept his streak going after his CX Nationals title as well racing at the Supercross Cup in Sufferin, NY in late Nov. claiming fifth on day one and was on the podium in second place on Day two.

There was no indication of an early retirement last November when Pedal interviewed Martin at length after he won the CX national title in Sherbrooke, Quebec. He spoke about his excitement for getting close to the top 20 in the world rankings in cyclo-cross and how he looked forward to a full season of mountain bike events in 2017.

On FB he wrote, “Over the last few years, I’ve had a lot of exciting moments and reached several personal goals. However, I haven’t been able to make it sustainable for the long term run. Also, with my University graduation at the end of the month, it seems like my life priorities are changing and I feel ready for new challenges off the bike. So I’d like to thank everyone who helped and supported me along the way, it’s been a real pleasure to share this journey with you! I’m sure I’ll see all of you on the trails again, because cycling is the most beautiful sport and I’m planning on enjoying this sport for many more years!”

Our interview w/Martin last Nov. here.

Pedal joins the cycling community in wishing Martin the very best on the road ahead.