ONE crash too many has brought an end to the cycling career of Tasmania's three-time world championship bronze medallist Belinda Goss.
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A five-time national champion, Goss became a track specialist, making the world championship podium three years running in the 10-kilometre scratch race, winning the same event at the 2009 world cup and dominating the Tasmanian Christmas Carnival series of recent years.
However, Goss said it was always road riding that seemed to lead to accidents, and the last one, while representing German pro team Abus Nutrixxion in June, ultimately prompted her decision to end a 15-year competitive career.
``After much consideration I decided now is the time to retire,'' Goss, 28, said.
``I did not want to compete half-heartedly. For me, cycling was always about wanting to push the boundary and be the best and when my body did not allow me to do that I thought it was time to do something else.''
Goss fell awkwardly while riding in crosswinds in the Netherlands and said it soon became obvious that her back was badly injured.
She was diagnosed with two bulging discs and told to stop riding for a month. After an epidural, nerve injections and a return to Australia, Goss realised the injury was a long-term proposition which eased without the demands of full-time training.
``It was a tough decision which I had been weighing up for some time,'' she said.
``It's a big life change and a lot to consider because it was a pretty amazing journey. I've done some amazing things and got to travel the world, it's been great.''
Originally from Acacia Hills but now Melbourne-based, Goss will soon graduate with a bachelor of business marketing and is looking for work in advertising, marketing or public relations.