'I’m ready to invest my energy in other things away from WorldTour racing' says Canadian two-time Olympian
Leah Kirchmann wears the pink leader's jersey at the 2018 Giro d'Italia Donne(Image credit: Getty Images)
Leah Kirchmann has announced her retirement from a successful 12-year career in professional cycling. In a press release issued by her current Team DSM and in a post on Instagram, the Canadian said that she is ready to turn her focus to other important areas and goals in her life.
"After 12 years in the professional peloton, I’ve decided that I’m ready to invest my energy in other things away from WorldTour racing. Thank you to everyone who helped me on this journey," Kirchmann said.
Kirchmann's final event of the season under Team DSM will be at the Simac Ladies Tour held from August 30 to September 4 in the Netherlands. She will then represent Canada at the UCI Road World Championships held in September in Australia.
Team DSM's head coach Rudi Kemna spoke of Kirchmann's development as a rider during her seven seasons on the team, first signing with the programme under the Liv-Plantur banner in 2016. Prior to that she spent one season racing for Colavita Forno D'Asolo and then four years of her career with Optum-Kelly Benefit Strategies, both American outfits.
"Leah has been with us since 2016 and has made great steps in her career here, taking some brilliant results on the road and becoming a role model within the team," Kemna said.
"A true professional, Leah brought a lot of value to us on and off the bike, supporting the team with her strong riding but also being an important and experienced figurehead for the younger riders; helping their transition to elite level racing and making them feel even more welcomed in the team. We’re really happy with the time we have spent together and from everyone at Team DSM, we wish Leah the best of luck and success for what lies next in the future.”
Leah Kirchmann of Team Canada at the Tokyo Olympic Games (Image credit: Getty Images)
Kirchmann is a multi-time Canadian National Champion in the road race and time trial and has represented Canada at two Olympic Games: Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.
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She has also represented Canada at 11 UCI Road World Championships, which will also include her participation at the Worlds in Australia this September. During those events she has four times inside the top-10 in the individual time trial. She was also part of the winning Sunweb teams that secured the world title in the team time trial at the 2017 Worlds in Bergen and the bronze medal in 2018 Worlds Innsbruck.
"I never imagined when I first stepped on a bike as a young girl back in Winnipeg that I would one day compete in two Olympic Games, race professionally and represent Canada proudly for so many years on the international stage. I am forever grateful for all the support I’ve received along the way," Kirchmann said.
"I’m proud of what I accomplished during my career, and how far I pushed my mental and physical limits as an athlete. I also feel fortunate that I got to help contribute to the success of many teammates during this time – with my favourite victory with the team definitely being the 2017 World Championships TTT win in Bergen."
Her career highlights also include being part of the team that won the opening team time trial that netted her the first maglia rosa at the 2018 Giro d'Italia Donne. She also finished second at La Course (2019), third at RideLondon (2016) and PostNord Vargarda (2017), second overall at Festival Elsy Jacobs (2021), third overall at the Tour of Norway (2019) and Tour of Chongming Island (2016), and fourth overall at both Challenge by la Vuelta (2018) and Women's Tour (2017).
She has won a total of 12 races throughout her career, alongside being an invaluable team member, who was always willing to work for others: helping her team to 40 victories since 2016.
"I am so grateful for everything sport has brought to me. I grew up and developed as an athlete surrounded by empowered women who taught me to embrace my strengths, and to not accept the status quo of society," Kirchmann said.
"I feel motivated by the momentum behind women’s sport and will continue to help build a better future. If sport has taught me anything, it is that I love to learn and love to embrace big challenges, so I look forward to exploring other opportunities and adventures in this life.”
Kirsten Frattini is the Deputy Editor of Cyclingnews, overseeing the global racing content plan.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023.
