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Megan Armitage, a prominent Irish cyclist who represented Ireland at the Paris Olympics and was a key rider for the professional team EF Education-Oatly, has announced her decision to step away from professional cycling. Her departure is effective as of March 31st, with her removal from the team’s roster taking place on April 1st. Armitage, a 28-year-old from Co Offaly, had been in the second year of a three-year contract with EF Education-Oatly, which was set to run through the end of the 2025 season. Her decision marks an abrupt end to a promising career that saw her achieve significant milestones for Irish cycling.
Armitage’s career highlights include twice finishing as the runner-up in the road race at the National Road Championships. However, her most notable achievement came in 2022 when she became the first Irish female cyclist to win a UCI-ranked stage race. Competing for Arkéa Pro Cycling Team at the time, she secured victory in both the final stage and the overall classification at the Vuelta Extremadura Féminas (2.2) in Spain. This historic win helped her secure a professional contract with EF Education-Oatly, a U.S.-registered team, where she was the sole Irish woman on the roster.
Her time with EF Education-Oatly was marked by her participation in major international events, including the Paris Olympics and the World Road Championships in Glasgow in 2023. Armitage began her 2025 season at the Tour Down Under in Australia, where she finished 48th overall. However, she had not raced since the conclusion of that event on January 19th, and her decision to retire comes as a surprise to many in the cycling community.
In a brief statement, EF Education-Oatly expressed gratitude for Armitage’s contributions to the team and wished her well in her future endeavors. The team’s statement read: “Megan Armitage is stepping away from professional cycling effective April 1st. We’re grateful for her contributions to the team and wish her the best in her next chapter. Hope to see you out on the road again soon.” As of now, Armitage has not publicly commented on her decision to retire or her plans for the future.
Armitage’s departure from professional cycling leaves a void in Irish women’s cycling, as she was one of the country’s most accomplished riders on the international stage. Her achievements, particularly her historic stage race victory, have paved the way for future generations of Irish female cyclists. While her reasons for stepping away remain unclear, her legacy as a trailblazer in Irish cycling is firmly established. The cycling community will undoubtedly watch with interest to see what the next chapter holds for Megan Armitage.
