SPINAL INJURY FORCES LEDA TO RETIRE FROM THE PRO PELOTON

Cox can actually be fortunate to have had a cycling career at all as in only her second season racing as an amateur she crashed heavily just metres from winning the national criterium championship in a solo breakaway. The crash resulted in 8 months out from sport and spinal surgery which left her surgeon predicting she would never ride a bike again. Ironically, this was the turning point in her career and she turned pro with Dutch outfit Vitron-Wiltra less than a year after surgery and went on to become British number one in the same year.

Cox’s career-ending second bout of spinal surgery came following a multiple rider crash in the 2009 Tour De Grande Montreal in Canada where she was racing with her French team ESGL 93 GSD-Gestion. The surgery, a double discectomy, which involved removing part of her spine has left her with a condition known as Cauda Equina which affects the control of one leg and comes with other nerve based complications.

On the announcement of her retirement Leda said: “ I’ve been very fortunate to have such a long and varied career in so many countries and with so many great riders. I’m a Christian and my faith has been such an important part in my cycling career. I have always tried to use my sport to honour God for the talents he has blessed me with. I’ve also been blessed with some great people around me who have been part of making it all happen. I want to thank all the background people who make West London such a hot bed for cycling. They know who they are. I also want to thank Neil Hassan and Andy Verral who helped set me on my path into Elite cycling and the Late Ian Goodhew who did so much for women’s cycling over the last 20 years.

It’s people like Ian that have kept domestic cycling going and have nurtured talent on our shores to export beyond them. I also can’t go without thanking my greatest supporter, my husband Jez who has put up with only ever seeing me in the winter since we married 7 years ago! Currently I am using my time to concentrate on getting as mobile and pain free as possible. A massive thanks to anyone that has had a part in my career. You know who you are.”

LondonCycleSport says: Leda was a true London legend -  she always rode aggresively, which may have upset a few people, but there was never any doubt about her intention of giving her best leading to her enlivening many, many races. We will miss her from racing and we have enjoyed the time we have spent talking to her over the years.

Leda Cox GBR Professional Racing Cyclist 2003-2009
30 Wins including two stage races
3 National Medals
British Number one ranked rider
24 Great Britain Team Caps
Coupe De France Winner
Tour of Tucson Winner
The early days as Leda Jane Ray.
Archer Road Club and GORE Bike wear/BMW
and the West London Cycling scene.

It didn’t take long for Leda to be selected to race for her Region and start to make her mark on the British cycling scene

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