There was some unfortunate news at the end of 2015 as Steve Peat announced he will be retiring form World Cup racing at the end of the 2016 season.

Peat’s career has spanned more than 20 years and has seen him claim 17 World Cup wins, three World Cup overall wins and 1 World Championship. Until this year he was the most successful male downhill racer in history and will retire as a legend of the sport.

Sheffield born Peat began his career in the mid 90s on team Saracen alongside current World Cup commentator Rob Warner. In his career he also raced for GT, Orange and, most famously, the Santa Cruz Syndicate.

>>> Eight reasons Steve Peat is a legend of mountain biking

He won his first World Cup in 1998 and went on to win 16 more. He became the most decorated male downhill racer when he won his 16th at La Bresse, France in 2009. 2009 was also the year that Peat broke his World Championships duck as he took to the top step in Canberra, Australia.

Peaty is heavily involved in the British mountain biking scene and has mentored some of the brightest prospects in British mountain biking such as Josh Bryceland and Brendan Fairclough. His work for the British mountain biking community was recently recognised by the city of Sheffield when he was awarded a Legend’s Star outside the city town hall.

At the age of 41, the sport is starting to take a toll on Peat’s body. His final run will either be on the 4 September at Vallnord in Andorra or, if he qualifies for the World Championships, on 11 September at Val di Sole, Italy. His final home race will be the Fort William World Cup on 5 June.

Peat said: “Mountain bikes rescued me from the darker sides of what life can throw at you. Next year is time for my final World Cup season. My priorities may change but the fun and adventure two wheels gives me will continue forever

This video is a perfectly fitting reminder of what makes Steve Peat and mountain biking so great. The World Cups will be a sadder place without him.