Bernhard Eisel has announced his retirement from professional cycling, ending a racing career that spanned 19 years and more than 1,300 days.

The 38-year-old Austrian has been with Dimension Data for the past four years and was looking for a contract for the 2020 season; at the end of 2018 he suffered a serious brain injury and was considering retirement, but decided to race one more year in 2019 and then in 2020, expressed his desire to celebrate his 20th year as a professional.

However, two weeks after the New Year, with the new season set to begin next week on the Tour Down Under, Eisele announced his decision to hang up his wheels, although he intends to remain involved in the sport.

"It has been an incredible privilege to be a part of some of the most prestigious teams in the sport and to have the opportunity to run on some of the biggest stages. I have made lifelong friends and traveled the world to fulfill my dreams, but now it is time to take the next step," Eisel said in a written statement.

Eisel acknowledged the role brain injury played in his contemplation of retirement: after a crash at Tirreno-Adriatico in 2018, he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and told his brain had shifted 8 mm off center, requiring surgery.

Eisel returned to racing in July of that year and later signed a one-year contract extension with Dimension Data to complete a 71-day season in 2019.

"Our sport is amazing and fraught with obvious dangers; in 2018 I suffered a serious injury that could have ended my career prematurely," Eisel wrote." Not everyone has the good fortune to retire on their own terms, so to have raced my last season, loving what I do, sees me leaving satisfied and proud."[13

Eisel began his career with Mapei Quickstep in 2001 and spent two years with the Belgian team before moving to the team now known as Groupama-FDJ for four years. in 2007, he moved to T-Mobile, with Columbia, HTC, and High Road. He signed a sponsorship deal and remained with the company until its dissolution at the end of the 2011 season.

During that time, he developed a strong relationship with Mark Cavendish, and after four years with Team Sky, which helped Bradley Wiggins to Tour de France glory in 2012, he and Mark Renshaw, Cavendish's old team, reunited in 2016 with They reunited at Dimenson Data. In a statement, Eisel called the trio the "Three Musketeers."

"I was lucky to ride with teams like Mapei, FDJ, Columbia/HTC, Sky, and Dimension Data. Cycling is full of heroes who are never in the limelight but make huge contributions, and the experience I shared with them is something I will treasure forever," Eisel wrote. [To my teammates, staff, race officials, organizers, media, and fans. Thank you, it was a great race."

Eisel was a valued teammate and respected road captain, especially in the later years of his career. He won 15 races throughout his career, including Paris-Bruges, Tour de Suisse, Volta ao Algarve, and Tour of Qatar. His last victory came in 2010 when he won Ghent-Wevelgem ahead of Sepp Vanmarcke, Philippe Gilbert, and George Hincapie.

"I have ridden the Tour de France 12 times (in France for nearly a year), as well as the Giro and Vuelta. The Grand Tour is the pinnacle and a true test for myself and the team that this sport is all about," Eisel wrote. [But as you know, I also love the classics and have been fortunate enough to have some success. I am especially proud of the fact that I have competed in Paris-Roubaix 16 times and finished 16 times. It is my absolute favorite race."

Eisele thanked his wife, children, and family "for the sacrifices they have made and for their unconditional love and support," and said he would remain involved in the sport, although he declined to reveal his plans for retirement.

"Finally, I have no intention of leaving the sport and will still pursue opportunities to be involved with many of you."