"Monty" stops riding

"When I became a pro cyclist in 1998, I set as my goal to stay in the sport until I had come to the end of my physical and mental limits," said Gerolsteiner's Sven Montgomery. "After nine years of pro cycling at the highest level, I have decided that the time has come and that I will end my active career after the Meisterschaft von Zürich on October 1."

"Monty" will stay active in the field, though. "As coordinator of the Swiss professional women's team Bigla Cycling Team, I will stay involved with cycling. This new position is a one-time chance for me and I challenge that I look forward to."

In an open letter to the media, the Swiss rider thanked his family and friends for their support over the years. He also especially thanked Team Gerolsteiner, "which supported me in all my efforts and where I always felt well." He concluded, "I hope I can take a part of the Gerolsteiner spirit with me to the Bigla Cycling Team - and maybe a part of the success, too..."

Montgomery, 30, rode with the teams Post Swiss (1998-99), La Française des Jeux (2000-01), Fassa Bortolo (2002-03) and Gerolsteiner (2004-06). He had three top ten finishes in the Tour de Suisse, and won a stage in the 2001 Midi Libre. He started the Tour de France four times but never finished it, and his career has been marked with a number of crashes and serious injuries.