Jon Gildea has announced he will be leaving the Great Britain Cycling Team Paralympic programme, after 10 years.

Having claimed two world titles on the track, and four additional world championship medals, Gildea has decided that after 10 years on the programme and following ongoing recovery from a head injury in 2021, now is the time to step away from professional racing and focus on other avenues.

A talented rider from a young age, Gildea competed for his country in mountain-bike downhill and cross-country disciplines from the age of 16. He continued this hobby into adulthood, he was badly injured in a cycling accident, changing his life forever.

After defying doctors’ predictions that cycling would no longer be possible, Gildea got back on his bike and having found out that he could undergo classification for para-cycling, quickly pursued a career on the Great Britain Cycling Team para-squad, competing in the men’s C5 category.

Gildea’s first success at international level came when he took the scratch race silver medal at the 2016 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships Montichiari. Narrowly missing out on selection for Rio 2016, Gildea’s form only got stronger, leading to him claiming his first rainbow jersey with a stunning ride in the individual pursuit at the 2017 track world championships. That rainbow jersey was swiftly followed by a second at those championships, with a win in the men’s C5 scratch race as well as a silver medal in the in the MC5 kilo.

More medals were to follow in subsequent world championships; an individual pursuit silver in 2018 and bronze in the same event in 2020’s world championships which were to be the last before the delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Missing out on a spot at the delayed Tokyo 2020, Gildea was in incredible form until an unfortunate track league crash left him with severe concussion towards the end of 2021. Following a period of rehabilitation and recovery, Gildea has decided that now is the time to retire from competitive cycling.

On his decision to retire, Gildea said,

“In 2021 I was in the best form of my life but as you get older as a rider, to be able to perform at elite level, it’s possible but you have to ask more and more of yourself. Couple that with a head injury which has impacted my balance, it was time to ask myself what I saw from my future. I’ve earned two world titles, three silvers and a bronze medal at world level; for something that started as part of rehab from another injury, it’s been a truly radical ten years. Leaving the programme is a bittersweet feeling but being able to decide when I leave the sport is vital to me and now feels like the right time.

“I want to say a special thanks to all who have helped me throughout my career. It’s no accident that Great Britain Cycling Team athletes get the results that they do; there’s so much dedication from everyone involved. I absolutely love British Cycling and being part of the squad, I’m massively proud to be part of that and feel like I always will be a part of the team.”

John Hewitt, Lead Paralympic WCPP Coach said,

“I’ve had the pleasure of being Jon’s coach for most of his GB Cycling Team journey, getting to know him as a person and seeing his development as an athlete has been a privilege. Jon’s passion for cycling is clear to all those who know him, he brings positive energy and determination to his individual performances and his support to teammates. On behalf of the GB Cycling Team, I’d like to thank Jon for his contributions to the team and to celebrate his many successes!”

John Lenton, Paralympic Performance Manager said,

“I would like to offer Jon congratulations on a career that includes World Championship accolades but of equal importance his contribution to the team and the sport of Para-cycling, all of which he should be immensely proud of. I wish him all the very best and given Jon’s love of cycling I am sure we will see him engaged and supporting the sport long into the future as he transitions from being a full-time bike rider. Jon you will always be welcome at British Cycling, so don’t be a stranger.”