Paris cycling medal prospect Brown announces retirement

In an emotional video posted to social media, the FDJ-Seuz rider said she misses Melbourne life with her husband Elliott Smith, family and friends.

Brown looms as Australia's top medal hope in the road cycling events at the Paris Olympics, having claimed silver in the road time trial at the last two world championships.

She was fourth in the discipline at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

The 31-year-old had the biggest road-race result of her career in April when she overcame a near-crash in the last few kilometres to win the Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic in Belgium.

She backed that up last month, winning the Bretagne Tour in France.

The time trial will be Brown's main mission in Paris, but the profile of the road course will suit her strengths and she will also be the leading Australian hope in that event.

While she admitted to mixed emotions about her impending retirement, Brown said the time was right to call it a day.

"I know that I could have many more years in cycling, but I really miss my life in Australia with my husband, my family and my friends and it is something that is harder and harder to leave," Brown said in an Instagram post.

While most Australian professional cyclists base themselves in Europe for the road season - and some don't return for years - Brown is known for having mid-year breaks to freshen up back in Melbourne.

"I'm really content with everything that I've achieved, it's far beyond what I ever expected," she said.

"I am really excited for the next chapter of my life, but at the same time I am really sad to leave this world behind.

"I want to say a really big thank you to everyone that has followed me on my journey, that has supported me and that has believed in me.

"But it's not over yet. I still have some really big goals that I want to achieve this year.

"I will continue racing with FDJ-Suez until the end of the season ... let's see if I can sign off in style."

Australian Associated Press