Michael Woods, a former professional cyclist, is embarking on a new chapter in his athletic career. After a successful run in cycling, where he won 16 pro races, including a stage at the Tour de France and three at the Vuelta a España, Woods is now transitioning into a multi-sport athlete. He plans to compete in triathlon, gravel, mountain biking, and ski mountaineering, aiming to test his endurance across various disciplines. In 2026, Woods will take on the challenge of Ironman, Pierra Menta, Leadville, and Unbound, among other events, to see how his body and skills fare against the best in the endurance sports world.
The 39-year-old athlete's decision to retire from professional cycling at the end of last year was not without its complexities. Woods had a successful career, peaking in his 30s, but a series of crashes and injuries made it challenging to maintain his performance. He dreamed of ending his career at the 2026 World Championships in Montreal, but a hernia and the lackluster performance at the Tour de France last summer led to a premature and unsatisfying retirement. Despite the challenges, Woods is determined to move forward and explore new athletic horizons.
In a post on his website, Woods expressed his motivation for the transition, stating, 'The aim is to see how, after 15 years of building an aerobic base in one sport, I stack up against the best endurance athletes across a number of disciplines.' He plans to answer questions about Ironman, the social media influence of World Tour pros, the emerging sport of skimo, and the question of whether the Tour de France is the world's hardest endurance event.
The transition to a multi-sport athlete is a significant change for Woods, who only turned pro in cycling at age 26 and made his World Tour at 29. His peak performance came in his 30s, and he achieved his final Vuelta a España stage at age 37. However, the physical toll of his career, including crashes and injuries, made it difficult to continue as a professional. Woods is now looking forward to a new challenge, using his retirement to explore different sports and test his endurance in a variety of environments.
