Scott Davies has announced his retirement as a professional cycling rider at just 26 years old.

The Welsh rider, once considered one of Britain's greatest talents, has struggled with injuries since turning pro in 2018.

His 2021 season was derailed by a hip injury that required surgery and lengthy rehabilitation, and he only competed twice with the Bahrain Victorias team, failing to finish either race.

Davis was not offered a contract extension and, faced with a decision about his future, announced his departure from the sport on Thursday.

"After a difficult year and a half of injury, surgery, and rehabilitation, I had to make the difficult decision to retire from professional cycling at the end of this year. It was a decision that came at the end of a journey that I never hoped would come so quickly, but one that I will forever be grateful for," Davis said. [I would never have believed as an 11-year-old that my passion for cycling would one day become a profession. I've been incredibly lucky to have raced all over the world and met some amazing people in the process. I gained experiences and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

"My life as a professional cyclist has taught me the importance of discipline, resilience, dedication, attention to detail, and belief in myself."

Davis was once a member of Team Wiggins, winning the British U23 time trial title four years in a row from 2014 to 2017.

He was seen as an all-rounder who could develop into an overall class rider, as evidenced by his fourth-place finish at the 2017 U23 Giro, where he was strong on the climbs and not against the clock.

He turned pro with Dimension Data in 2018, but struggled to find his feet at the World Tour level.

He made his Grand Tour debut at the 2019 Giro d'Italia and then signed with Barlene Victorious.

He raced the Vuelta a España in pandemic-hit 2020, but then suffered a hip injury that interrupted his winter and prevented him from starting the 2021 season as planned; he underwent surgery in April and did not return until August, when the team was short a rider, the Bretagne He had surgery in April and did not return until the Bretagne Classic in August, when the team was short a player. In fact, he had not yet completed his rehabilitation and retired from the British Championships, ending his season and, by extension, his career.

"I want to thank everyone who believed in me, supported me, and gave me the opportunity to succeed. It has been a pleasure working with everyone, my former teammates and colleagues," Davis said.

"I am truly grateful to all the teams I have been a part of, to Wales Cycling & Sport Wales for supporting me throughout my career, and especially to everyone who has supported me throughout my rehabilitation process this year. Special thanks to my friends and family who have supported me through the peaks and valleys of professional sport. Last but not least, to my parents, Aled and Tina, who have supported me for the longest time.

"Now is the time to reflect before deciding on the next challenge and opportunity.