Emily Batty Announces Retirement from Professional Racing

Jun 2, 2023
by Ed Spratt  
photo

Emily Batty has announced on social media that she will be stepping away from professional racing.

After an incredible career racing World Cups Emily Batty has achieved more than 17 World Cup podiums, two World Championship bronze medals, two third-place overall World Cup series results, a fourth place at the Rio Olympics and more than nine Canadian Nationals Championships wins. Emily does not know what the future holds but says that she is heading off on a new journey to impact the sport in different ways.

bigquotesDear fans, supporters, and cherished friends,
Today marks a new journey that fills me with nostalgia and anticipation. With mixed emotions, I announce my retirement from professional mountain biking. As I reflect upon my incredible career, I am grateful for the remarkable experiences, victories, and connections that have shaped me into the person I am today.

First and foremost, I want to express my deepest appreciation to all of you—my dedicated fans and supporters. You have been the driving force behind my accomplishments, the wind beneath my wings. Your unwavering encouragement and belief in me have propelled me to reach the heights I had dreamt of. Whether cheering me on from the sidelines or engaging with me through the digital realm, your presence has made this journey genuinely remarkable.

I will forever cherish the memories of standing on the World Cup podiums and representing Canada at two Olympic Games—a testament to the countless hours of training, sacrifice, and sheer determination. To finish twice third overall in the World Cup series and have graced the World Cup podium 17+ times is an achievement that will forever fill my heart with pride. The bronze medals at the World Championships in 2016 and 2018, the fourth-place finish at the Olympics in Rio, and the 9+ Canadian Nationals Championships victories have all become indelible milestones intricately woven into the fabric of my personal story.

Throughout my journey as a professional athlete and someone who’s had the opportunity to experience the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows, I have come to appreciate that success extends beyond medals. The true essence of my experience lies in the invaluable lessons learned, the memorable encounters, and the moments of personal growth that arise when confronting challenges head-on.

I frequently look back at my first Olympics and representing Canada in London 2012 despite breaking my collarbone three days before the event. It holds a special place in my heart. The rollercoaster experience of pushing through the pain, finishing on the lead lap, and defying the odds remains a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of the character as an athlete. Looking back on that incredible journey, I am filled with immense pride, knowing I gave it my all despite the challenges.

As I reflect on all these moments, I am reminded that the core of life’s meaning and purpose lies not in pursuing medals and achievements but in the journey of self-improvement through unwavering dedication to our craft, experiences, and skill advancement. It is a testament to our character, reflecting who we are and what we strive for, and how this transformation unfolds beautifully, leading us to become enlightened and better versions of ourselves.

Every triumph, setback, and connection made throughout this extraordinary journey has molded me into the person standing before you today. As I embark on this new chapter, I carry the invaluable lessons, profound friendships, and unwavering support from those who have stood by my side. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to the sport’s evolution and pave the way for future generations of athletes fueled by resilience and passion.

Collaborating and being supported by extraordinary brands has been an honor beyond words. Their unwavering support and belief in my abilities have amplified my accomplishments and helped me make a lasting impact within the industry. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunities they provided, the partnerships we cultivated and continue to cultivate.

But beyond the medals, the victories, and the brand affiliations, what has truly touched my soul is the people I have met on this extraordinary journey. Each encounter, whether in person or online, has enriched my life and shaped my perspective. The connections I forged with all of you, my fans and supporters, have been the lifeblood of my motivation. Your energy and passion have fueled my own. Over time, we cultivated a tremendous digital fanbase of nearly 1 million followers worldwide and continue to do so. The unwavering support and growth I’ve experienced through these digital channels have been precious to me throughout my career, and I am eternally grateful. It has provided me with a platform and a voice to express my true self, showcase the brands I have proudly represented, and share the profound connections I’ve forged along this extraordinary journey.

As I step away from professional mountain bike racing and embark on a new journey in the sport, I am faced with the excitement and uncertainty that lie ahead. Having dedicated myself to cycling from age 13, the next chapter of my career will undoubtedly be challenging. Yet, I embrace this challenge with open arms and an eager heart. The possibilities are vast, and I am filled with a sense of purpose to explore new avenues, contribute to the sport of cycling in different ways, and continue growing as an individual.

While I may not have all the answers right now, I am brimming with ideas and opportunities that lie in wait. The passion, determination and experiences that fueled my athletic career will undoubtedly propel me forward into this next phase of my life in cycling. I invite you all to join me on this new adventure as I navigate uncharted territories, discover new passions, and seek to impact the sport in new ways.

Thank you, once again, for being a part of this extraordinary ride. Your unwavering support and belief in me have been the driving force behind my success.
Emily Batty


Emily Batty speeds through the Spanish pines.
photo

Photos by Adam Morka Canyon MTB Race Team
Emily in Cairns as WC XC 2 2014

Back in the top 10 for Emily Batty.
Image by Piotr Staron

Emily Batty Trek
Emily Batty in Australia in 2014

Emily will be missed amongst the action in cross-country races, but we wish her the best of luck with the next chapter.

Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
3,006 articles

114 Comments
  • 167 7
 Thank you for making Canadians proud (and more specifically mountain bikers from the province of Ontario). What an amazing professional cycling career!
  • 31 6
 Someone actually downvoted a congratulatory comment. Takes all kinds.
  • 55 63
flag slowtorque (Jun 2, 2023 at 11:48) (Below Threshold)
 @CaptainSnappy: hmm she certainly didn't make this Canadian proud.

The way she handled he end of her Canyon Team without so much as an acknowledgement or thank you to Jenn Jackson, Laurie Arsenault or the other team members was unprofessional.

Also when was the last time major sponsors like Redbull & Canyon ended contracts with current national champions & without any well wishes or thank yous from either side. And for someone so committed to her digital presence its quite interesting she still lists them as sponsors when they are clearly not.

And it's hard to overlook the Instagram content. I'm not a "girli girl" but alot of her content objectified her body & the way she responded to men commenting on her body is not something I would want my niece (or nephew) to look up to. To be clear I have no time or respect for the people who post about how hot her batty booty is.

She is a tremendously gifted athlete who achieved almost all of her goals, but her professional public persona is not something to be admired.
  • 32 9
 #searches for batty booty on Instagram......
  • 23 3
 @slowtorque: I had to look, her instagram content isn't crazy in the least. It's mostly her on bikes. Are women not allowed to take pics of themselves at the pool anymore??
  • 6 8
 She’s a lil bit wordy…
  • 8 0
 I remember when she busted her collarbone a couple days before 2012 Olympic race and still finished! She gets props for that alone!
  • 4 1
 @slowtorque: who cares... get over yourself
  • 1 0
 @slowtorque: Shhh. Have a Snickers, you'll feel better.
  • 57 1
 What an incredible journey and a major impact for the women cycling. Congrats Emily Batty!
  • 23 0
 I was a volunteer at the London 2012 XCO and Emily was kind enough to sign a number board for me after the race - super friendly and positive despite what must have been a massive disappointment breaking her collarbone days previously - good luck in whatever comes next Emily!
  • 26 1
 Did chatgpt write that announcement?
  • 12 3
 Knowing how cheap Outside is, probably
  • 28 4
 For her, there is probably pretty close to the same money and a ton more fun as an "influencer".
  • 13 0
 Considering her Porsche sponsorship, probably
  • 8 5
 I always assumed the influencer was her primary value rather than her race results
  • 9 4
 @chrismac70: How did you go with your own professional racing career?
  • 3 2
 @chrismac70: "Emily Batty has achieved more than 17 World Cup podiums, two World Championship bronze medals, two third-place overall World Cup series results, a fourth place at the Rio Olympics and more than nine Canadian Nationals Championships wins"

ya what a terrible career... idiot
  • 22 2
 How many podiums are more than 17? 18? 19 maybe?
And what about more than 9 national titles? 10 probably?
  • 3 0
 maybe unofficial categories where medals or jerseys may or may not be handed out like U15 or U23 when they raced with the elites.
  • 21 10
 Hannah Arensmen is also retiring, but not for the same reasons…

Congratulations on a beautiful career in the golden years of Women’s sport. Athletes like you gave me reason to follow the ladies’ category and appreciate a different style of racing. All the best!
  • 7 40
flag HawmStacks (Jun 2, 2023 at 8:10) (Below Threshold)
 Hanna Arensmen sounds like a real piece of work She will surely get lots of support of her stance in the echo chamber
  • 29 2
 Can you blame her? Watching Killips assault her during this race was unbelievable and I still don't understand how it didn't lead to immediate disqualification. twitter.com/i_heart__bikes/status/1610747669827424260?s=20
  • 30 6
 @HawmStacks: There's no suggestion that Batty's retirement is similar, but Arensmen's choice was only logical and if the trend continues, I would expect to see more and more like it. Competitive sports - especially "niche" sports like MTB - are pretty brutal, with incredibly tight margins for success, both in the sport and financially. If males competing with women is continually normalized, over time, they will occupy most top spots - making the sacrifice for female atheletes increasingly pointless.
  • 12 1
 @HawmStacks: take a long look in the mirror dude.
  • 7 27
flag ChristophColombo (Jun 2, 2023 at 9:36) (Below Threshold)
 @eckljkr: I can't blame her for being mad about that move and USAC's failure to address it, but I can blame her for the vitriol she spews about trans athletes in general.
  • 13 5
 @eckljkr: absolutely and can't even believe that this happened. The lengths people go to in order to "win" "save face or do what ever to feed their insanely fragile ego's is pathetic and appalling.

From a person standpoint, I raced in a citizens class and beat my employer but 2:00 mins and rather than being excited for me, a smear campaign was put out that I was doing steroids and many other things then using what I believed to be "friends" to try and manipulate me into confessing I was on roids... again pathetic. Ended up resigning after almost a 10 year stint because of his behaviour and how toxic of person he truly is. In a citizens race.... pathetic and bruised his ego and obviously his self esteem is so bad this is the level people like that succumb to....maybe the fact that I was 20 years younger than you and trained 6 days a week for 12 weeks may have something to do with it? FYI.... the 4 week FTP program on Zwift is no joke. Gained 40 watts in 4 weeks. Also ended up quitting racing and my job because of how big of a loser he actually is in real life. People may not see what I see but wow...maybe go to a psychologist to get over your childhood trauma vs taking it out on those who outshine you. Paying people off to do your dirty will surface one day...and I'll be on the sidelines to watch.

With that being said, I'm not shocked at how hurt and upset Hannah is, especially after that video. No matter if there is sanctioned testosterone levels, biological males will have an advantage over female riders. Period. Think about this from an empathy stand point.... if a female who classified themselves as a male competed in the men's division.... would they even make qualifiers at the elite level with heavy competition throughout the field?

If the UCI wants to implicate and support transgender racing (I do as well) I feel there should be a new category for them to compete in. Even if there are only a handful of riders. Maybe it will help include additional racers from the transgender community to compete, train, a set goals to become the best they can be.

Women's racing should be for women only. Period. The garbage that women have put with from Alpha's for centuries is appalling and support them for who they are! Amazingly talent athletes earning their spot on a worldwide level.

I still remember watching emily batty compete at a Canadian World Cup event in 2007 and thought to myself, "who is this girl?" She was a ray of sunshine both on and off her bike. Some many female riders I knew and rode with looked up to her and Emily gave them such inspiration that they themselves pushed their limits to compete in racing and podium in different categories in multiple disciplines. The smile, the energy and overall effort she put into mountain biking has not gone unnoticed on a worldwide scale. Even in her last years as a professional racer, she still kept off pushing no matter where she finished and people were always talking about her. That means something.

Thank you Emily for everything you have done for the sport of mountain biking across all levels. I hope that whatever adventure you have planned next is as successful as your amount in biking career! Keep your head up and ray of sunshine glowing! You truly are an inspiration all over the world!
  • 7 0
 @eckljkr: wtf, that person wasn't disqualified for that??? From that twitter thread it looked like there were two different incidents too?
  • 8 3
 @DylanH93: yeah.... I hear ya and even though this is a projection of my thoughts... Disqualifying Killips for that could have blown up the media and the transgender community. Think about it...disqualifying Killips being a trans athlete....especially from a podium spot. KA-BOOM!

I can hear comments like....

"Killips was only disqualified to keep him/her off the podium"

"Funny that the two trans racers finished 4th and 5th not letting them get to the podium"

And so forth....

Not saying it's right because in my opinion that is a disqualification without question. This sickens me and has pushed out an amazingly talent athlete to the point of retiring in her prime. It's sad and my heart goes out to her.

No disqualification for that is a joke and the fact that not one person in upper management supported Hannah... well... shame on them, the UCI and killips for going to that length. Clearly Hannah is a better technical rider as per the video feeds and didn't need to get off her bike to ride through the technical course conditions. All done just to protect a fragile ego, trying to maintain a spot in the race and should be ashamed of themselves as an elite athlete.
  • 13 3
 @eckljkr: Hmm, that kind of aggression is male-typical, strange to see it in a womens race....
  • 5 0
 @kwyjibo: wow that's actually infuriating. I didn't even know the whole story either. To just allow that kind of rule breaking because of the identity of the person and act like nothing happened, good God. I feel bad for the women affected by this, either they shut up and take on the abuse or they speak out, have their lives threatened and get a ton more online abuse. That's borderline evil.
  • 26 19
 She had a great career and was a very good racer but as other have said you can't deny the fact that she is also beautiful. She knows it and her very cringy IG posts support that. You simply cannot deny that part of her popularity was her good looks. Even if it's not PC to say it.
When you have a million social followers you start to make real money, likely more than you can as a professional racer and it's certainly easier than grinding it out on the WCXC circuit. Sad facts but true.
Cheers to a great career and a new one as an "influencer".
  • 11 2
 You are right about the cringe IG posts.
  • 6 2
 Great career.

Why blame her for earn money on his beauty?
So she is not a role model because retarted dumbs comment that she has a great ass?
I find her take it not too seriously like most of IG or other social womens thar litterally have done...nothing.
Every single pro in every sport do this, mens too.
Your face is your brand.
  • 3 0
 Unfortunately, she doesn't have a million followers and the team was pitched for its social media engagement. Which I presume is why it folded. "This dress or that " post probably does not sell mountain bikes. I'm sure her looks have played a part in her success in having sponsors over a longer career than most, but beauty also come with a cost. Just read the comments to see one of the downsides. She has done great things for youth cycling and inspiring female riders.

Good luck with the future. Be proud of your achievements on and off the bike.
  • 7 0
 What a great career. Wish her the best for the next one. She really helped elevate women's racing
  • 93 86
 The most popular rider who never won.
  • 69 6
 I mean, her stats aren't nothing: 17 World Cup podiums, two World Championship bronze medals, two third-place overall World Cup series results, a fourth place at the Rio Olympics.
  • 48 33
 How many World Cup races have you won?
  • 23 7
 Suddenly @ElCabraMontes remembered they were in the pinkbike comment section and already knew the answer to their question
  • 14 1
 While you do have a point, I think it goes to show the value an effective brand ambassador/influencer can have outside of the tape. Plus, she has plenty of accolades just short of the top step.
  • 42 2
 There's plenty of F1 drivers who've never won... they're still F1 drivers.
  • 38 3
 Spot ‘The Troll’ Townes….The Red bull helmet doesn’t come easy, that lady worked hard and earned it.
  • 10 2
 @ElCabraMontes: geez getn a lil defensive vs a fact stated.
Many great F1 drivers never won either.
Many hall of fame baseball players never won it all.
  • 30 5
 A statement like this comes from a binary culture: you’re good or you’re bad; you’re a winner or a loser; you’re with or you’re against. There is no room in between for nuance or compromise.
  • 1 0
 @ElCabraMontes: mdw isn't a popular rider...
  • 6 0
 @stuie321: Only a sith deals in absolutes.
I will do what I must.
  • 7 2
 I love how so many people here immediately got defensive at this statement and looked for ill intent. Maybe Scott is just sad to never have seen Emily win.
  • 3 2
 True, but having all those podium finishes at the elite level is something that makes you a known name and a brand.
It also doesn’t hurt that she’s attractive and puts energy into her social media presence.
  • 3 0
 I didn't actually read this as a negative comment. I chose to take it as "you don't need to have a win to be top rider with a great career".
  • 2 0
 @jrocksdh: exactly, or maybe it's just a joke. Nobody here thinks coming second or third place(or competing in elites in general) on a WORLD stage is anything but an achievement of a life time. I feel like I won a gold medal if I PR on a section I've done a hundred times lol.
  • 3 4
 @nickfranko: Most of PB users are dubbas who care too much about a comments section on a website. I love how pathetic it is.
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: You are right. I read your comment as supporting Emily, a kind of wishful thinking for her, that she was popular, did very well, but just didn't scrape a WC win. It was only after I read other comments that I saw it could be interpreted as negative.
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: it's a good thing you're here judging everyone while so doing the same
  • 2 0
 I didn't see this as a negative comment. I was always hoping to see her get that one center step at least. She earned all those other podiums.
  • 8 5
 She'll be missed, but I wonder about the timing of the announcement. The World cup races have just started, why not complete the year and retire at the world championships? But I guess she has her reasons.
  • 18 0
 Injuries, fatigue, sponsorships, it could be a dozen of reasons.
  • 9 0
 No team
  • 12 0
 she had no team, so it would have been self-funded
  • 1 0
 @JoeHelvoigt: wasn't she and her husband running her Canyon team the last few years? It wasn't part of CFR/CCLTV? Maybe the leader sponsors contract ended?
  • 6 0
 Along with some of the other reasons states, she’s all 34 and if she wants kids, it has to happen soon.
  • 1 0
 @gramboh: I think her brother helped run it last year.
Adam Morka is her husband, and the fellas helping her were her brothers (afaik).
  • 6 3
 @AngryPirate: Catharine Pendrel had a kid at the age of 40 and raced in the Tokyo Olympics seven months later, so it probably isn't that.
  • 6 5
 @axcooper: realize having a child at 40 is crazy and run a high risk of a child having issues. 30-35 is considered a “geriatric pregnancy”.
  • 9 0
 Complete the year? She never started the year.

There was speculation for a while by the sudden dissolution of her team, the silence from both her and her teammates, and no early season races.

The fact she announced now and not last year pretty much indicates she was probably shopping around for a last minute ride that never came.
  • 3 19
flag wburnes (Jun 2, 2023 at 19:39) (Below Threshold)
 @AngryPirate: Waiting to 34 is already too late. For healthy children you want to be done before 25 ideally. Mutational load increases with age, and eggs (also sperm) go bad.
  • 29 1
 Pinkbike comments; now with fertility advice.
  • 1 5
flag wburnes (Jun 3, 2023 at 14:33) (Below Threshold)
 @dougfs: correct advice
  • 1 0
 @wburnes: men’s age has a MUCH significant impact on a child’s health/mutations. 25 is ideal for woman, but certainly not the norm anymore. 27-30 is the norm.
  • 1 0
 * MUCH less significant
  • 1 0
 @AngryPirate: I wouldn't say much more significant, excluding autism risk. But yis, ideally both as young as physically possible for the health of the child.
  • 1 1
 @wburnes: this is just incorrect.

Older men have children with younger women all the time. As of late there are some notable, very, very old male celebs having children with very young women. The autism and other developmental issues due to age of parents comes from the egg side of things.
As someone who was in this situation 10 years ago, I’ve/we’ve done my/our research and consulted doctors.
  • 1 1
 @wburnes:
“ Advanced maternal age is associated with a decrease in egg quality. This means that as your age goes up, your egg quality goes down. "Older" eggs are more likely to cause chromosomal anomalies. A lot of these chromosomal anomalies are what healthcare providers screen for in the first trimester.“
  • 1 0
 @AngryPirate: Nope. Men are also negatively affected by age in regards to fertility. Mutational load increases with age, this is undeniable. Sperm quality decreases with age as well, not just egg quality. All else being equal, children with younger parents are better off.

Old sperm greatly increases the likelihood of autism, old eggs are generally responsible for other birth defects (by old I mean 25+ year old parents).

www.verywellhealth.com/older-parents-and-autism-risk-for-child-5199211
  • 1 0
 @wburnes: now compare that to women 30+ compared to men.

The women’s egg has a much higher probability of mutations.
  • 1 0
 @wburnes: let’s also circle back to the original statement, the reason she might be retiring I could partly be she is approaching a time in life when fertility is diminishing.
The risk factors was the secondary statement, which still holds.
  • 33 32
 They edited out the part that said:

"I realize that I need to find a better life balance. Spending so much time on the bike training hasn't allowed me enough time on pinkbike and instagram to be hit on by 16-74 year old boys. My gold medal boy is out there somewhere deep in my DMs and with the right plan and dedication, I'll find him."

Keep trying boys!
  • 1 1
 Haha
  • 2 17
flag OlSkoolJake (Jun 2, 2023 at 7:59) (Below Threshold)
 Your incel vibes are showing... Gross.
  • 14 0
 @OlSkoolJake: Im pretty sure this comment is mocking pink bike users..not mocking the rider
  • 4 3
 my critical comment was featured in her #grind video about her comeback to prove all the haters wrong and she's retiring..... really sucks the team folded. i blame canyon having to spend so much on warranty replacements because their bikes are fragile.
  • 10 2
 Bold of you to assume they actually did warranty replacements. Probably spent more money employing people to come up with BS reasons to reject warranties
  • 8 1
 @nickfranko: FWIW Canyon bought my entire bike back due to a warranty crack in the frame. Year old road bike, 7k miles on it, full refund. Just my experience, but they stood behind their product for me.
  • 5 1
 Next Peloton Instructor? Can she save them?
  • 3 1
 And now I realize there is an Emily Batty...and an Amanda Batty. Because I was about to start cussin' but now I'm on to congratulating. Enjoy.
  • 5 0
 I remember Amanda Batty exists every year or so. After perusing her latest IG posts about her life falling apart (again) I’m reminded of this quote: you run into an a*shole in the morning, you ran into an a*shole. If you run into a*sholes all day, you're the a*shole.
  • 1 0
 @SangamonTaylor: I once used this quote with my partner... she was constantly complaining about all of her coworkers. After the initial shock wore off, she had a long think on it, and decided to start looking for a new job. Best advice I ever gave her.
  • 2 0
 @SangamonTaylor: yeah...a member on here sent me Amanda's most recent "live" video telling the world that she got 1st at some "race" over 2 sponsored pros "off the couch" but then proceeded to ramble that women can't beat trans athletes because they aren't committed to training and then some other crazy Mad Hatter stuff.

It is now stuck in my brain...
  • 3 1
 after she blocked me on Instagram for mentioning the harms of gambling on her paid gambling add she pushed I could care less.
  • 3 1
 Whenever I see you racing I always was inspired to get on my bike and crank
  • 2 0
 Congrats on a great career A career with dedicated fans!
  • 3 1
 Congrats, all the best in your next adventure!
  • 2 1
 She’s always been very kind and likable. Who cares if her good looks helped build her career. Best of luck, Emily,
  • 1 0
 That clip is bonkers. I couldn't find anything when I googled any combination of their names, cyclocross, checking etc.
  • 1 0
 Sex dating➤ u.to/mWPGHw
  • 34 34
 The most beautiful smile in MTB Racing Smile
  • 124 1
 Sam Pilgrim begs to differ
  • 31 5
 F'ing cringe dude
  • 1 0
 @HankHank: I would say Sam has a (mostly) toothy grin lol
  • 2 0
 Alrighty then.
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