Israeli Startup Nation veteran Rory Sutherland has announced that he will retire after the 2020 season, ending his 16-year professional career.

The Australian, who joined Israel's World Tour team this season, made the announcement in a post to Instagram, saying that while he loves the sport and the team, he felt it was time to move on.

Sutherland turned pro in 2005 with Rabobank, gaining three years of experience with the Dutch Continental team. He then spent six years with the United Healthcare team in the U.S. before joining Saxo Tinkoff in 2013 Prior to joining ISN, Sutherland spent three years with Movistar and two years with UAE Team Emirates.

His final season was interrupted before it even started when he crashed his electric scooter and broke his leg during the Israeli Startup Nation training camp in December. After the season resumed, he returned to racing and participated in the Milan-San Remo and Tour de Wallonie.

"2020 will be my last year as a professional cyclist, and after nearly 20 years as a professional, I am grateful for all the experiences this sport has brought into my life," Sutherland wrote.

"I have been fortunate enough to be a part of many different teams over the past few years, and I will cherish the relationships with the riders and staff I have gained through this sport, and the memories of races and victories, big and small. I will never forget the days and years I spent on the bike with my teammates.

"It is time to close this chapter of my life. I have been incredibly lucky to have been able to race for so long. I love cycling, I love riding my bike, and I love the people I get to work with. I am proud of what I have accomplished over the years and I want to thank my wonderful wife and children for their endless support in allowing me to live this life.

"I am excited about the future and look forward to new challenges and opportunities within the sport of cycling. Thank you all!!!"

Sutherland's career highlights include stage wins at the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Tour of Utah in 2012 and the overall win at the 2017 Vuelta a la Rioja. During his time in the U.S., he won the Tour of the Gila and has also won the Joe Martin Stage Race and the Cascade Cycling Classic twice.

The 38-year-old established himself as a valuable domestique during his WorldTour days. He assisted Nairo Quintana in winning the Vuelta a España in 2016, Alejandro Valverde in his two wins at La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Romain Kreuziger in 2013 when he He also assisted Romain Kreuziger in winning the Amstel Gold Race in 2013.