Skip to main content

Levi Leipheimer announces retirement from cycling

  • Author:
  • Publish date:
Levi Leipheimer, who won the Tour of California from 2007 through 2009, retired from cycling at 39 years old.

Levi Leipheimer, who won the Tour of California from 2007 through 2009, retired from cycling at 39 years old.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) -- American Levi Leipheimer says he retired from professional cycling when his six-month ban for doping violations ended March 1 and he was unable to sign with a new team.

Leipheimer told The Press Democrat of Santa Rosa of his decision Sunday. His comments came after watching the final stage of the Tour of California, an event he won three straight times from 2007-2009.

The 39-year-old Leipheimer, from Butte, Mont., was fired by the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team in October after confessing to doping as part of the investigation that brought down Lance Armstrong. Leipheimer was Armstrong's teammate for five years during stints with the U.S. Postal Service, Astana and RadioShack teams before joining Quick Step last season.

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.