Beijing Olympian Cath Cheatley has called a halt to her international cycling career for the foreseeable future as she continues her battle back from a serious injury.
Cheatley suffered multiple fractures to her hip during racing in Taranaki last October, an incident that has ultimately ended her hopes of qualifying for the London Games.
The 29-year-old from Wanganui says she has made good progress after surgery, but not enough for top competition.
While she could ride her bike, she couldn't generate the speed needed.
"When the numbness didn't leave and I couldn't get the power through the leg, I just had to be realistic that, not only was London out of the question, but riding competitively again is a long shot," she said.
Cheatley, whose husband Dayle is BikeNZ's women's endurance track coach, will remain in the sport in a fulltime role as the national body's regional development co-ordinator for Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Cheatley's achievements including winning bronze in the points race at the 2007 world track championships and finishing in the top-10 on the road at the 2009 world championships in Italy.
She was crowned US National Road Series champion in 2010 and is a three-time winner of the New Zealand road title.
NZN