Zach Dempster announced his retirement from professional cycling after a 15-year career.

"I am very grateful to have done this job. I will not miss this suffering," Dempster posted on the social media accounts of the Israel Cycling Academy on Saturday. [Cycling is a very hard sport and you have to push yourself to the absolute limit to become a pro. But now it's over and I'm very happy to be able to do it for fun on Saturday mornings when I feel like it."

Dempster will join the management team of the Israel Cycling Academy next season. The team has taken over Katusha-Alpecin and has secured a spot in the 2020 World Tour.

"I am very happy to remain in the ICA structure. I have felt more at home here than anywhere else in my career and I can't think of a better place to take the next step in my career," he said.

Dempster began his professional career in 2006 with the Continental team Drapac Porsche. He spent the next eight seasons racing for the South Australia-AIS, Burgas, and Rapha-Condor teams, and in 2011 also spent time as a trainee for WorldTour team HTC-HighRoad.

In 2013, he joined the professional continental ranks with NetApp-Endura, then moved to Bora-Argon and the Israel Cycling Academy.

"Time and time again, he has proven that young athletes can count on him to lead and guide them during races and elsewhere. And, of course, he leads by example by getting results."

The 32-year-old Dempster concluded his 15-year career with a victory at the Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic on August 21. Other victories include wins at Tesco Rutland and the Melton International Cicle Classic, as well as stage wins at the Ronde de Loise, Tour of Japan, and Czech Cycling Tour. He also finished in the top 10 at the RideLondon-Sully Classic, Ronde van Drenthe, and Nokère Coase. 17]

"I have had many great moments in my career, but winning that race was like no other," Dempster said of his victory in Winnendahl

"I've had many great moments in my career, but that win was like no other.

"I wasn't the winner, but that was fine.

Dempster thanked his former teammates, team management, and family for supporting his career.

"All these years of racing on my own bike has been an absolute privilege. It's hard to sum it up in words, but what I wanted to say the most is that I'm grateful for everything I've gained over these years," Dempster said. [My favorite part of being a rider has been sharing the good, the great, the bad, and the worst with the amazing people who have been with me through it all. The family that was with me from the beginning, the friends I met along the way. Along with all the coaches, soigneurs, mechanics, and everyone else who has been there for me at every turn.

"But first and foremost, Christina, the love of my life, and of course Ruby (it must have been a geographical challenge to meet Christina de la Caña while living in Castlemaine and then to adopt the most wonderful greyhound from Jaen)."