'The downs were too frequent' – 24-year-old retires from pro cycling after physical and mental struggles
Robin Orins had suffered exhaustion and panic attacks that had decimated his racing
Belgian cyclist Robin Orins has announced his retirement at the young age of 24, citing physical and mental exhaustion as the primary reasons. The 24-year-old rider, who hails from Heestert near Kortrijk, had not raced since June 2025 and had been struggling with frequent downs in his career. Orins took to Instagram to express his disappointment, stating that despite his efforts, his body and heart no longer wanted to return to cycling.
He wrote, "This year, I wanted to return happy instead of unhappy. I wanted to enjoy the bike, the people around me, the suffering and, above all, feel fulfilled again. But things didn’t turn out as hoped. No matter how hard I worked, my body said 'no'. Now my head and heart are saying 'no' too."
Orins had previously discussed his struggles, which began after the 2024 World Road Championships in Zürich. He experienced physical exhaustion leading to emotional struggles, including panic attacks, and spent much of 2025 away from racing. The former Lotto-Intermarché rider expressed his desire to explore other aspects of life, stating, "Cycling will always have a place in my heart.
Every scar, trophy, tear, and smile has its story." Orins is not the first young professional cyclist to face the demanding physical and emotional toll of the sport, as other young athletes such as Kim Cadzow, Ide Schelling, Jonas Gregaard, Megan Armitage, Lizzie Holden, and Marta Cavalli have also retired in their 20s.
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