The amazing professional cycling tale of João Correia seems to be coming to an end. Following the announcement of the Cervelo TestTeam at the beginning of September, Correia was one of twenty-five riders without a job. Of course, it didn't take long before the announcement came that seven Cervelo riders would be heading to Garmin as part of a merger, and the rest of the names have trickled in one by one over the last two months.
The much awaited news of the fruits of the fan favorite, Correia's search, didn't materialize though. On September 7th, Shane Stokes spoke with Correia, at that time, prospects looked good.
"Like most riders, I have an agent, and he's speaking to a few different teams…three in particular at present."
A little under a week ago, however, the 35 year old tweeted what should signal an end to the magical run: "I appreciate all the support from all of you this year. It was truly great motivation, but it's time for me to go home. I won't be racing in 2011."
Correia has been an inspiring story for many people in his year at the highest level with the Cervelo TestTeam. The Portuguese rider rode at a very high level in the mid-90s before heading to America to study at Fordham University, then move into the publishing business. Correia eventually ended up as associate publisher of Bicycling Magazine and 25 kilograms over his former racing weight, so he began riding again to lose weight, almost ten years since his early years racing in Europe. From that first ride back, it was a seemingly inexorable rise: first, back to the amateur ranks, then to the American Continental level with Bissell Pro Cycling, and finally, in 2010, the Cervelo TestTeam.