Shock exit for Stuart O'Grady days after record 17th Tour de France

SOUTH Australian cycling legend Stuart O'Grady has announced his shock retirement just weeks after penning a new deal to ride on in 2014.

Stuart O'Grady and Graeme Brown

SOUTH Australian cycling legend Stuart O'Grady has announced his shock retirement just weeks after penning a new deal to ride on in 2014.

The 39-year-old's exit from the sport he devoted almost his entire life to was announced via a media release from his team Orica-GreenEDGE on Monday night, one day after a record 17th Tour de France.

O'Grady had intended to retire after next year's Tour de France and after what would have been a giant farewell to SA in the Santos Tour Down Under in January - which he won in 1999 and 2001.

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But according to the team's statement, O'Grady decided to retire immediately on the back of Orica-GreenEDGE's sucessful Tour de France in which it won two stages and held the yellow jersey for four days.

Leave your tributes to O'Grady at the bottom of the page

"I've always wanted my career to end with something truly special and this year's Tour de France has given me that," O'Grady said.

"Originally, I wanted to keep going, but I've kept thinking that this is the year.

"We reached big goals as a team at the Tour, and I'm proud to finish my career after an amazing experience with an incredible team. I'm turning 40 very soon, and I've realised there are things in my life that I want to prioritise."

Top three at 1998 TDF were all on EPO

O'Grady's retirement from the sport came just before cycling was hit with another doping bombshell.

French daily Le Monde today reported that Italian Marco Pantani, Germany's Jan Ullrich and American Bobby Julich - the the top three riders at the 1998 TDF -  were taking banned blood booster erythropoetin (EPO).

It is understood most retrospective tests for EPO from the '98 Tour have returned positive and could compromise the coaching careers of several former riders.

The results of the testing will be published today as part of a French Senate inquiry examining the effectiveness of anti-doping measures since the so-called "Tour of Dopage" in '98.

It is understood riders could be named in the inquiry, including Frenchman Laurent Jalabert, who stood down from his commentary role on this year's Tour after being accused of testing positive to EPO.

O'Grady was one of four Australians to ride the 1998 Tour along with Neil Stephens, Robbie McEwen and Adelaide-based Patrick Jonker who that year also won The Netherlands road race title.

Stephens was part of the Festina team which was kicked off the Tour amid one of cycling's biggest doping scandals, but has maintained his innocence.

The Advertiser does not suggest any of the four Australians used illegal substances.

Orica-GreenEDGE general manager Shayne Bannan paid tribute to O'Grady who won Paris-Roubaix in 2007 and Olympic gold in 2004.

"It's impossible to sum up everything that Stuart has given cycling, but a few things stand out," Bannan said.

"His commitment to the sport and to his team has been immense. He's been a huge resource and a fantastic rider for us to work with.

"To have that kind of dedication at this point in his career shows a lot about his character. He's a unique person and an incredible athlete.

"His experience and status in the peloton has been one of the key elements to our success."