Alex Dowsett is nearing the end of his current contract with Israel Premier Tech, and although he would like to continue on the World Tour for a couple more seasons, he is already considering a life outside of pro cycling's top class.

The British rider found himself in the stressful situation of a late contract search in 2020, the year of the pandemic, and ended up extending his contract with Israel through 2022. This time, however, he says he is "not afraid" of ending the season and year without another contract in 2023.

Dowsett says that's because his recent participation as a bike leg pacer in a sub-7 sub-8 Ironman world record attempt, a project similar to Eliud Kipchoge's sub-2-hour marathon, has opened his eyes to a variety of other possibilities

"I was able to see the world in a different light.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't look at life outside of the World Tour and expand my horizons," Dowsett said in his latest YouTube blog (opens in new tab).

"Other events like this remind me that there is a great competitive sports community outside of the World Tour.

Nevertheless, the 33-year-old Dowsett indicated that if a two-year deal with the World Tour is signed, it will likely be his last as a professional, and he is willing to accept it.

"I feel like I still have something to give, but not more. I feel like in a couple more years I'll reach my expiration date as an elite pro cyclist."

Dowsett feels the end is near because he is entering his 30s in a sport that is increasingly colored by youth.

He turned pro with Sky in 2011, winning a landmark time trial victory at the 2013 Giro d'Italia, followed by six British TT titles and briefly holding the hour record in 2015. lone to keep his contract at the 2020 Giro. stage wins, but he is increasingly focused on supporting other riders.

"It's getting harder and harder to get contracts," he said. Especially as you get older. Every team, understandably, is shifting to signing younger riders.

"The World Tour is getting harder. The World Tour is getting harder. It was the same in the Giro. It was a series of one-day races. I've never seen a Giro like that. It was fun, but brutally tough. I was dropping power like crazy just to stay in the game, and at 76 kilograms, it was pretty normal for me to run 10 minutes at 450 watts just to stay in the race. So it got harder, but that's the evolution of the sport, and to be on the World Tour for over 10 years is pretty cool."

Dowsett is not sure what the future holds, but he is open to ideas now. He has expressed interest in American criterium science, the British time trial scene, triathlons, and gravel racing.

"I have no idea what's next, but I'm actually pretty excited. I'll just see where the rest of the year takes me and what opportunities it opens up."

"I'm not afraid of not having another contract; I was scared in 2020 and had to mentally prepare myself for that. Everything went well then, but the process has made it much less stressful this year. I'm more willing to expand my horizons by participating in other events."