Katie Keogh, who competed in cyclocross for 12 years with Cannondale Cyclocross Worlds, officially retired as a professional cycling rider on Thursday. Her last race started Wednesday at the UCI World Cup race in Fayetteville, but she was unable to complete four laps and retired.

The 30-year-old also competed in seven U.S. team road races, from TWENTY12 to TWENTY16, and as a guest rider for Cylance Pro Cycling and most recently L39ON in Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old Wisconsin native announced earlier this year that the 2021-2022 cyclocross season would be her farewell tour as a professional. She crashed hard in the first corner of the World Cup opener in Waterloo last Sunday and was a surprise starter in Arkansas on Wednesday in miserable conditions of pouring rain and heavy mud. And on Wednesday, Arkansas was in the worst conditions with pouring rain and mud.

"For two years, I desperately searched for a way to get my flame back. The fire I needed on race day. I finally had the courage to admit to myself that there was no point in forcing myself to continue with something that clearly wasn't burning inside me anymore," Keogh posted on his Instagram page.

"It's not fair to me and definitely not fair to the team around me. Underneath the sadness is relief. This is not exactly how I envisioned leaving (omission) months earlier than I wanted to finish, but I am leaving this sport gracefully."

Known as "Little Badger" for her small stature, huge fights, and connection to Wisconsin, the Badger State, Keogh has won 13 UCI cyclocross races in her career, including the 2018 Iowa City World Cup and Hogelheide He finished fourth overall with three other top-10 finishes. The year before last, he finished second overall with three of his seven top 10s, and one of his silver medals came at his "home" race in Waterloo; his best finish at a UCI Cyclocross World Championship was sixth in Biels in 2017.

"I celebrate the fact that I can close this story with the most amazing memories and accomplishments. There are many chapters in my cycling story, but the chapter with the Cannondale Cyclocross Worlds is the most important. What a wonderful reality that I have been able to call Cannondale Cyclocross Worlds my home for my entire professional career. I was able to race cyclocross for 12 years with the longest established pro CX team in the world. Thank you," Keogh continued in a social post.

"The best part of doing this sport is the relationships I have made. I will cherish them for the rest of my life. This will always be the most beautiful and special chapter in my life. I am very sad to end it this way, but I know in my heart that this is the best decision for me."