Retiring from active professional cycling: Christian Knees. Photo: dpa
Berlin (dpa) - Christian Knees has ended his professional cycling career after 17 years. The 39-year-old made the announcement on the homepage of his team Ineos-Grenadiers.
"17 years is a long time. It's always difficult to end a chapter. But I'm proud of what I've achieved," said the Bonn-born rider, citing Bradley Wiggins' Tour de France victory in 2012, in which he provided important assistance.
Knees has competed in 20 grand tours in his career, finishing all but the 2014 Vuelta. His greatest successes were winning the Tour of Bavaria in 2008 and the German Road Cycling Championships in 2010.
However, Knees mostly appeared in the background and put himself at the service of his team. He also rode alongside four-time Tour champion Chris Froome in a number of grand tours. Knees, who rode for Sky and Ineos for ten years, is to remain with the team in a different role.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:201217-99-729016/2
