Michael Albasini (Mitchelton-Scott) has announced that he will end his long racing career next June.The 38-year-old Albasini will retire after his home race, the Tour de Suisse, which runs from June 6-14.

Albasini has been with the Australian team since its inception in 2012 and turned pro with Phonak in 2003.

"It's great to finish my career in a race that I really love as a rider," he said. It's my home race and it's great for any rider to finish at home."

"There are a lot of former teammates in the organization, so it's like finishing in a school class and it makes it easier for family to come.

Albasini raced for two years with Phonak before moving to Liquigas for four seasons, Colombia-HTC for three years, and Orica-GreenEdge for its debut season.

Albasini has raced the Tour de Suisse 15 times, with his best result being 11th in 2009. He also won the final stage of the 2012 edition with three victories.

His Tour de Suisse victories are among his 15 career WorldTour wins, including seven stages at the Tour de Romandie and stage 13 of the 2011 Vuelta a España, which he won in a sprint from a 20-man breakaway in Ponferrada.

"I'm in the middle of a breakaway.

"This season it was getting harder to find motivation and to stay motivated. It's always different in the second half of the season.

"Thus, I have my goal line. I don't have a set goal in terms of results because it's the last part of my career. I just want to nail the final preparations, do everything right, and get up to the highest level possible."

"If I can do that, then results will follow, but for myself, I just want to enjoy myself and make the best possible approach and shape in the last part of my career. If everything goes well, results will follow, whether individually or as a team.

At the 2014 Tour de France, Albasini made headlines when he was accused of racially abusive remarks to then Europcar rider Kevin Reza on stage 16. Albasini later apologized to the French player, but denied using racist language.

Albasini's 2020 calendar has not yet been finalized, except for the final race, but Mitchelton Scott's directeur sportif, Matt White, said he would start racing in Spain.

"Next year will be another big half year, starting somewhere in Spain in February and finishing in his part of Switzerland. There are still many races left in 'Alba,' but he knows where the finish line is."

"Alba was a founding member and helped get this team back on track with a big win at Volta Catalunya in its first year.

"Since then he has been instrumental in developing the culture of this team, both on and off the bike, and at the age of 38 or 39, it's really great to be able to end his career on his own terms."