Haywood retiring

This weekend will mark the retirement from active Olympic distance cross country and World Cup racing by Sue Haywood (Trek/VW). A former national US champion, she has competed at a high level domestically and at World Cup races for many years.

"I'm still gonna race the rest of the year, but it seemed like a good place with everyone there to have a little closing," said Haywood of her plans for the weekend's racing at Mount Snow, Vermont.

She will continue racing for the rest of the season, mostly attending longer events. "I'm going to do a few 100 milers and I may do the NMBS Finals [in Utah] and the stage race in Brianhead the weekend before."

When asked what's next, she said, "I don't know. I don't have any plans yet." Looking back she reflected thoughtfully, "I didn't expect to be doing this [professional racing] for ten years after all."

Haywood won the US National Short Track Championship in 2001, 2003 and 2006. Earlier this spring she finished second at the Cape Epic with Trek/VW team-mate Jenny Smith. She's also been a member of the winning team at Moab in 2001 and 2002, won the 2006 24 Hours of Adrenaline World Championship in Conyers, Georgia, and won the 2007 La Ruta.