Ryan Trebon racing in Seattle in 2008, prior to winning the 2008 Nationals in Kansas City. © Cyclocross Magazine
After a few up-and-down seasons that left Ryan Trebon off the bike more than he wanted to be, the tall, 35-year-old Oregon-based professional cyclocross racer has called it a career:
Since #CrossIsComing I wanted to let everyone know that I decided a few months ago. That I am not longer going to be racing professionally
— Ryan Trebon (@ryantrebon) August 24, 2016
Trebon stormed onto the scene as a top U23 cyclocross and mountain bike racer in 2004, and quickly earned two Elite National Championships in cyclocross in 2006 and 2008, and two XC Mountain Bike National Championships in 2006 and 2007. Trebon also won the coveted USGP overall title five times, and was a surefire bet to finish on the podium at Nationals.
Suffering from a back injury, Trebon told Cyclocross Magazine earlier in 2016 that he hasn’t felt healthy in years:
“I got to the point where I forgot what it’s like to feel good. I haven’t felt strong or fast on a bike since, I don’t know, Boulder 2013.”
Without his health, Trebon found it hard to make it to the starting line of UCI races, which complicated his sponsorship opportunities.
In his “Gut Check Update post” on Facebook, Trebon stated on January 4 this year:
“Who will I be racing with next season? I have no idea and honestly not really any prospect at the moment either, All I know is I will for sure be out there, even if I have to sell everything I own to fund myself.”
And as of earlier this year, Trebon was still looking, and sources tell Cyclocross Magazine the accomplished racer received some offers of equipment but perhaps not the salary or the right program he wanted to return to racing.
What are you looking for sponsorship wise? A team/company that believes in me as much as I do. And a desire to be successful together
— Ryan Trebon (@ryantrebon) May 3, 2016
In March, with just a few days of training, Trebon even put on an impressive display of physical talent, running a 5:06 mile in attempt to settle a bet with his girlfriend, and while falling short of the 5-minute mark he hoped to beat, proved that he still had Elite-level physical gifts, injury or not.
However, after months of searching, Trebon decided to call it a career, with fewer words than the private Tim Duncan, and none of the fanfare or farewell tour of Sven Nys or Kobe Bryant.
Trebon’s stature in the sport of cyclocross was even greater than his six-foot, five-inch frame, and he’ll sorely be missed in the professional ranks. Trebon was the first-ever domestic pro to be featured on the cover of our print magazine, on the still-available Issue 4. Perhaps we’ll see him make a run at the SSCXWC in Portland, ten years after trying hard not to cross the line first?
Ryan Trebon, Barry Wicks and Adam Craig at the SSCXWC 2007 – Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championships – © Cyclocross Magazine
Thank you, Ryan, for all you’ve given to the sport.
Stay tuned as we aim to bring you more on this recent news and our exclusive interview with Trebon.
If you wish to share a few words of thanks or favorite memories with Ryan, drop a comment below or email news [at] cxmagazine.com. We’ll make sure he sees them all. Or send him a Tweet.
We’ve enjoyed the ride. Thank you, Ryan Trebon. photo: The crowd came out and welcomed Ryan Trebon, second, home. 2014 Qiansen Trophy cyclocross race, China. © Cyclocross Magazine
