Kim Cadzow, a 24-year-old Women’s World Tour cyclist, has declared her retirement from professional cycling.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the New Zealander, who has worked with EF Education-Oatly for the past two seasons, stated that riding her bike is “no longer my happy place” and has started to feel “more and more like punishment.”
Cadzow, a three-time national champion, last participated in the Zottegem-Strijpen one-day race in Belgium in July 2025. He has not raced this year.
“I’ve decided to step away from my professional cycling career,” she posted on Instagram to announce her decision.
“I can say I won’t be going back, but I don’t feel old enough to say I’m retiring.
“I’ve mentally rehearsed a lot of scenarios, including riding time trials, and I was extremely fortunate to have the chance to briefly join the NZ track squad.
However, riding my bike no longer made me happy, and it began to seem like punishment every day. I’ve always loved sports, and I never wanted to stop loving them.
After competing in triathlon, Cadzow started cycling at the age of 19. At the age of 21, she received her first professional contract in 2023. She played for Jumbo-Visma for a season before joining EF in 2024.
She won both the overall and a stage in the Italian race Trofeo Ponente in Rosa that same year. She represented New Zealand at the Olympics in Paris, where she finished seventh in the individual time trial. She also placed sixth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
“I want to thank everyone who helped me along the way and supported me. NZ, sponsors, friends, family, teammates, and coaches. Wearing the plant on my back was unlike anything else, Cadzow wrote.
To all the young riders out there: stay close to your loved ones and friends. Create a support system around yourself and rely on them because they will be there for you when you’re finished.
Cadzow’s old teammates and friends honoured her and her career in response to her Instagram post. Mikayla Harvey, a fellow New Zealander, remarked, “You accomplished so much and must be so proud.”
Sarah Gigante of AG Insurance-Soudal said, “Congratulations on your career, this decision, and on always being a genuinely lovely human being.” “I’m so happy that our paths came together.”
Alison Jackson, a Paris-Roubaix winner who rode with Cadzow at EF, wrote: “You accomplished a lot in a short period of time! I’m glad to have met you and your goofy side! I’m eager to see what you do!
Kim Cadzow (EF Education-EasyPost), a former road and TT national champion from New Zealand, has decided to retire from professional racing at the age of 24, saying that riding her bike “was no longer my happy place.”
Cadzow declared on Instagram that she will not be competing again after not competing in 2026. She joined EF Education-Oatly and competed for the US team for the previous two seasons after turning pro with Jumbo-Visma in 2023. “I’ve decided to step away from my professional cycling career,” she said. Cadzow remarked, “I can say I won’t be coming back, but I don’t feel old enough to say I’ve retired.”
“Riding my bike was no longer my happy place, and it felt more and more like punishment every day. I’ve played over many situations in my head, just riding time trials, and I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to join the NZ track team for a brief stint.” I’ve always loved sports, and I never wanted to stop loving them.”
With three senior national titles in New Zealand and a stage and the overall at the Trofeo Ponente in Rosa in 2024, Cadzow had tremendous promise as an emerging racer. She also participated in three Grand Tours—two at the Giro and one at the Vuelta—and placed sixth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2024.
After taking up cycling in 2019, Cadzow quickly rose to the top. In 2024, she represented her nation at the Olympic Games in Paris, placing 56th in the road race and an impressive eighth in the time trial.