Tributes paid to ‘role model’ Lizzie Deignan upon retirement

British star, pregnant with third child, calls time on 19-year career, writes Tom Davidson

- Tom Davidson

Friends, former teammates and race rivals have paid tribute to Lizzie Deignan, who announced her immediate retirement from cycling last week.

The decision was made as the 36-year-old is pregnant with her third child, due in February. She was set to finish her career at the end of this season, but has brought her retirement forward.

Over 19 seasons as a pro, Deignan recorded 43 wins, including the UCI Road World Championships, Paris-Roubaix Femmes and the Tour of Flanders. She was also one of the first female professional cyclists to have a child and return to the highest level.

Elisa Longo Borghini, Deignan’s teammate for six years at Lidl-Trek, described the Brit as an “example of class”. “I was looking up to her as a role model, and I’m still doing that,” Longo Borghini told Cycling Weekly. “She was always discreet and polite, but very straight and honest towards everyone; media, riders.