In an interview with Rouleur, Ian Stannard has explained that he is retiring from pro cycling following an escalating struggle with rheumatoid arthritis.

A reserved personality, Stannard wanted no fanfare to surround his news. The long-time Rouleur reader opted instead to speak exclusively to us at home in the north English town of Wilmslow. With Stannard’s modest character, it could be easy to overlook the striking achievements of his career.

Winning Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2014 and 2015 – out-riding Tom Boonen, Niki Terpstra and a hall of fame of great Belgian Classics riders – puts him among the finest British Classics riders around.