It's always a poignant moment when a champion decides to hang up their wheels. Especially when they're as respected and talented as Miles Scotson. After nine grueling yet glorious years battling it out in the professional cycling World Tour, the former Australian national champion is retiring.
As 2025 draws to a close, Scotson, a prominent Australian cyclist of this generation, has officially announced his departure from professional cycling. He's leaving behind Arkéa - B&B Hotels, marking the end of an era. "Closing out 2025. And also closing a big chapter of my life, professional cycling," Scotson shared in an emotional Instagram post. He continued, expressing gratitude for having "fulfilled my dream to turn professional and make a career from riding my bike." He acknowledged the journey's highs and lows, thanking everyone who supported him along the way.
Scotson's professional journey began in 2017, building upon a foundation of impressive results in his younger years, where he was considered a highly promising under-23 rider. Remarkably, in his very first road race as a professional, he seized arguably the most significant victory of his career: the Australian national road race title. This triumph came while representing BMC. His other professional victory occurred in the opening stage of the 2021 Volta a Comunitat Valenciana, where he launched a successful solo attack from a breakaway.
At 31 years old, Scotson joined Groupama - FDJ in 2019 following BMC's dissolution. Within the French team, he continued to showcase his time trial abilities, but primarily developed into a valuable lead-out man. A strong rouleur – a cyclist known for their ability to maintain a high speed over flat terrain – Scotson consistently spent time at the front of the peloton. His work involved chasing breakaways and, crucially, supporting Arnaud Démare in sprint finishes. In 2024, Scotson followed Démare to Arkéa - B&B Hotels, where he spent the final two years of his career. He participated in all Grand Tours, including the prestigious 2021 Tour de France, and competed in twelve Monument races, where his contribution, particularly in the spring classics, was highly valued.
Scotson's career highlights his versatility. While he achieved individual success, his dedication to teamwork, especially his lead-out work, often went unsung. But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that Scotson could have achieved even greater individual accolades had he focused solely on his own ambitions. Was he ultimately more valuable as a team player than as a potential GC contender? And this is the part most people miss: Does the decision to prioritize team success over personal glory reflect a changing dynamic in professional cycling, or simply a different approach to career fulfillment? What do you think? Did Scotson make the right choices in his career, or could he have aimed for more individual victories? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
