American cyclocross and mountain bike racer Ellen Noble has announced that she is taking a temporary hiatus from racing professionally due to ongoing health issues.

"It's hard to say out loud," Noble announced her decision in an emotional message on Instagram on December 1.

Noble, 26, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2018 and suffered an accident earlier this year that fractured her spine in three places. She described her absence from racing as "indefinite, but not permanent."

"I've been on an indefinite sabbatical since October 1. It's a strange feeling. I am devastated and euphoric at the same time. I feel I have lost so much, but I have already gained more than I ever imagined."

Noble, a two-time U23 cyclocross national champion and two-time U23 Pan American champion, has struggled with health for the past three years.

"In 2018, when I was having the best season of my career, I started to lose my shape. One day it seemed like I lost my sparkle. I lost my drive to win, I lost my energy. My mood changed and I saw my body change before my eyes."

After being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Noble said, "At least I knew what I was up against," but he still struggled to find his fitness.

Noble returned to racing during the suspended 2020 season, but in April 2021, he fell during a US Pro Cup mountain bike race in Arkansas and fractured three transverse processes in his spine.

"When I fractured my spine, my health was also shattered. I developed new symptoms that I had never dealt with before."

Suffering from countless physical ailments and mental challenges, Noble said she "felt nothing but fear" as the new cyclocross season approached; after failing to finish the Stem CiderX race in September, she made the decision to step down from racing.

"I didn't even have the energy to grieve anymore," she said. I was just devastated from the exhaustion of the last three years."

Despite the uncertain prospects for recovery, Noble announced her intention to return to racing as soon as her health permitted.

"But right now, I'm changing a chapter of my life to a new one. 'I want to get back to doing what I love, riding bikes for fun, riding bikes with friends. And I'm really looking forward to getting healthy. I can't wait to see what this next chapter brings."