American track specialist turned roadie Marty Nothstein has announced that this will be his last year as a pro. Nothstein, the most decorated athlete in U.S. track cycling, will ride his final race on the track on August 26 at the Red Robin Keirin Cup presented by 24-7 Fitness. The race will be at Lehigh Valley Velodrome in Pennsylvania, USA, the place Nothstein calls home.
Nothstein began his career as a track sprint specialist, but after winning the Olympics in 2000 he refocused his energy toward road racing. He raced for team Mercury and now with his current team Navigators Insurance, resulting in many victories, including the New York City Cycling Championships held on Wall Street in New York City. Nothstein had success as a six-day racer, riding in 25 professional six-day competitions. He rode to a victory in Moscow and took third place in both Gent and Stuttgart, making him one of few cyclists who have made a successful transition from a track sprinter to an endurance racer.
Since his first national championship in 1990, Nothstein has been a 35 time national champion, 4 time Pan American Games gold medalist, 3 time world champion, has 15 world cup victories, and is an Olympic silver and gold medalist. "I have always wanted to retire while I was still capable of winning races, it feels good to retire on your own terms", says Nothstein.
Despite the fact that he is retiring from the sport of track cycling, Nothstein intends to stay very involved. "I plan on being extremely active in the promotional and developmental side of cycling. I want to see more Olympic Champions come through the programs I benefited from as a youth... I want T-Town to become the factory for producing the next generation of Champions."
During Nothstein's final track appearance on August 26, a ceremony will be held during the race to commemorate his career. Following the race, the velodrome will be holding an after party for Marty to say farewell to his fans. Spectators will have the chance to meet and greet Nothstein, while enjoying food and drinks.
"It is only fitting to ride my final race on the track that I grew up on; this is where I learned everything I know about cycling. I chased my Olympic dreams here. This is my home. My career started here and it is going to end here. I would not want it any other way", Nothstein concluded.
