Scarlett Hagen of Queenstown (Image credit: Olly Hagen)
After nine years on the race circuit, New Zealand's Scarlett Hagen announced her retirement from downhill mountain bike racing. Just 21, a burnt-out Hagen brought her career an end that suprised some. Hagen's final event will be the Brake Burner on her home track this weekend.
"I can't really race at 100% any more, so I've basically decided to give up," Hagen told the Otago Daily Times. "I've had a totally awesome nine years. I've loved it, and I still like riding bikes. But I don't want to race at the top level any more. It's just time for a change. I need to find motivation for something else."
Hagen won her first national title at age 12 and was a junior world champion at age 16. Along the way, she suffered two compound fractures, 12 other broken bones, three dislocations and a half-dozen concussions. She said that while her body could still take the abuse of the sport, she had achieved as much as she wanted within the sport.
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Hagen is pursuing studies in physical education at the University of Otago and may consider coaching in the future. She now works part-time as a personal trainer.
Hagen ended the 2008 season ranked 17th in the UCI World Cup downhill standings.
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