Jay Thomson, 34, has decided to retire from the pro cycling team after failing to renew his contract with Qhubeka Assos for 2021.

The NTT Pro Cycling Team lost its title sponsor this year and only received a belated reprieve in the form of support from Asos and the Qhubeka Bicycle Charity in November.The NTT Pro Cycling Team announced its final roster on Tuesday, with the last riders Rob Power and Bert-Jan Lindemann were signed, while Thomson was released from his contract.

Thomson, a South African native, expressed his gratitude on social media for his time spent in the peloton, saying, "I am truly grateful for everything you have given me."

Before turning pro with Konica Minolta in 2007, Thomson raced in the elite ranks in his home country and was teammates with Chris Froome. While Froome moved to Barloworld and worked his way to Tour de France victories with Sky, Thomson moved to MTN Energade, the first professional team started by Doug Ryder.

In his first year, Thomson had enough success to win the African time trial championship and the Tour of Egypt, but left the team after two seasons to race in North America with the ambitious Fly V Australia.

However, his dream of joining Pro Continental was thwarted by financial difficulties. He then moved on to Bissell and UnitedHealthcare, but returned home after Ryder launched his own successful attempt to bring the MTN team up to the big leagues.

Thomson signed with MTN-Qhubeka in his first year as Pro Continental and won the South African road racing title.

"When I started writing this, I just wanted to say one thing: I'm not going to be a professional cyclist in 2020," Thomson said. So I wanted to say that 2020 is the last year of my cycling career," Thomson wrote.

"I have enjoyed the ups and downs (maybe more ups and downs) of this sport for the past 16 years."

"I am truly grateful for everything it has given me, and while I don't yet know what lies ahead in 2021, I know that after cycling I plan to give my all in life, just as I did in my career."