HAMPSHIRE'S Olympic gold medallist Dani Rowe has announced her retirement from professional cycling.

The 28-year-old Briton won team pursuit gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and also claimed three world and two European titles before switching her focus from the track to the road.

She then secured road race bronze for Wales at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this year.

Rowe said in a statement: "To have been multiple national champion, multiple European champion, Commonwealth Games medallist, three times World Champion, and have won Olympic gold in my home country, is more than I could have ever dreamed of.

"I feel privileged to be able to finish my professional cycling career on my own terms and in a great place mentally with the sport.

"I'm an achiever and I'm driven through hitting and improving on targets I set myself. After winning a medal in the Commonwealth Games I have won a major medal in all that I can in cycling and it's now time to enter the next chapter of my life.

"I've already got exciting plans in place for 2019, including how I remain in this amazing sport, and I look forward to sharing this with you in the new year."