In the past, I would have called the result in Algeria a disappointment, and sat sulking for a number of days. However, for me this time, it was my first race, and I showed promising signs that I could ride at the top level again.

Next up was the Mzansi Tour, a 7-day stage race around South Africa. Technically this was mine, and the teams, Home Tour, so it was a must to come out of it with a result. I would lead the team, with our National Champion, Goredema Chizisa, going for the sprints. The climb to the finish on Stage 6 looks like the GC decider.

A flat opening Stage 1 gave the team a good chance to shine at the first opportunity. The day's break was pulled back at the 9km mark, and the Cell C train was in full motion. The sprint opened up, and we looked unchallenged. Chizisa took the victory, and I did enough to take 3rd. It was a great start!

Stage 2 take an opportunity for a early GC mix-up. The finish circuit had some difficult climbs, and approaching the final lap, I used one as my launch pad!

Sander Armée (Telenet) and Jung-Hwa Paeng (RTS) joined me on the descent, and it looked like one of us would take the win. I backed off the pace, and let the others take the lead into the Flamme Rouge. Armée jumped first, but I was close behind him. I lunged for the line, and the took the win by a wheel! My first win since Stage 9 of the Tour de France.

With 3 flat stages to follow, our focus reverted back to Goredema. He would take the win on Stages 3 & 4 moved him in 3rd on GC. I was still sat in Yellow, and I was comfortable in the lead. Stage 5 went the way of the breakaway, as Adam Phelan (Drapac) outwitted his fellow breakaway companions at the finish.

I held a 6" lead going into the GC deciding Stage 6. I had ridden well so far, but that morning was the first time I had began to feel my injuries. I woke up stiff, and had trouble getting on the bike. Thankfully, I loosened up during the stage, but I knew I was in for a hard day.

On the final climb, the GC favourites showed their hands. Diaz (Telkom) kicked first, followed by Paeng. I tried to go with them, but my legs had other ideas. I closed the gap but not enough. I crossed the line 10" behind Paeng, losing the Yellow Jersey before the final stage. I was devastated when I crossed the line. I was also in a lot of pain. I was not in a good place.

The final stage was flat and gave no hope of taking back my GC lead. To be honest though, I would just be happy to finish with the state I was in. Being lifted onto your bike is not the best way to start the day. Patrick Shaw (Drapac) took the victory, as the break just held on on the line. Chisiza confirmed his Points Jersey victory by taking the bunch sprint of the peleton, whilst I just managed to hold on, and seal 2nd on GC.

1	Jung-Hwa Paeng	RTS - Santic Racing Team	24h51'06
2	Martijn North	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	+ 4
3	Goredema Chisiza	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	+ 22
4	Daniel Ricardo Diaz	Telkom	+ 24
5	Mathieu Van der Poel	BKCP - Powerplus	+ 36

1	Goredema Chisiza	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	83
2	Martijn North	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	67
3	Daniel Ricardo Diaz	Telkom	60

1	Floris Goesinnen	TEAM ABN Amro	34
2	Tom Dernies	BKCP - Powerplus	34
3	François Parisien	Utsunomiya - Blitzen	32

1	Jung-Hwa Paeng	RTS - Santic Racing Team	24h51'06
2	Martijn North	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	+ 4
3	Goredema Chisiza	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	+ 22

1	Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart	74h35'20
2	BKCP - Powerplus	+ 3'12
3	Telkom	+ 5'04

In the days following the Mzansi Tour, I was unable to move without any aid of some kind. I shuffled around the house, using tables, chairs and the walls just to keep me upright. The efforts for the GC in South Africa had taken their toll, and my body was fighting back.

The main issue was my pelvis and thigh. Both had taken the worst damage in the crash, and both were taking longer to get back to full strength. In fact, my pelvis was hit so hard, it is believed that it is now ride and walk at a crooked angle.

I called the Cell C management, and one of the soigneurs was sent around to come and help me out. The decision was made as well to pull me from the Fenkel Northern Redsea. I could only hope that I can get myself sorted before the Tour of Eritrea.

After a longer than planned gap between races, I carries on my season at the Tour of Eritrea. The soigneur did his best to help with my recovery, and I came to the African race in a much better shape than I thought I would be.

The Cell C will ride for Louis Meintjes in the race, targeting the Mountain Summit on Stage 2.

After the race in Eritrea, I was in the usual state of pain, and unable to walk properly. The team sent me home with a soigneur again, but it was beginning to become a worry for me. Any race that involved an extended effort, even working as a domestique, hit me hard and it wasn't helping with my training, recovery and my racing schedule.

There was an initial thought of withdrawing me from the Challenge du Prince race in Morocco. But I was dead against it - I wanted to race. The race was similar to the one in Mallorca in terms of its set up. It was a 3 stage race over 4 days, but each stage worked out as individual races.

After the race in Morocco, I was in my usual state of pain and unable to do anything but drag myself around the flat, and wait for my hip and lower back to calm down and the mobility to come back. Yet again, I had a soigneur on site to help, but it shouldn't have to be like this. I can't live my career needing a carer for a week or so after a race just so I can carry on with my home life.

I booked myself an appointment with the consultant that had performed the surgery in Manchester after my accident in October. I needed to sit down with him, talk over my post-race problems, and see what the next step would be.

It was clear that I had not fully healed from the injuries sustained, and my aggressive racing was not helping them heal correctly. This feedback was not what I wanted to hear. Basically, I had two choices: I could carry on racing, but put my future career in doubt, or I could step away from the Professional Peleton and give myself the chance of recovering fully from the injuries.

I came away from the consultation with a few points running through my head, and plenty to think about.

For the next week, I mulled the decision over in my head. I think it changed about 10 times before I finally sat down my the Cell C Management and also my parents to discuss what my future held, and where I go next. My visit to Manchester had been well documented in the Cycling Press, and my up and down season in the sport since the accident was clear to see as well.

When I ready, the team called a Press Conference in Johannesberg, near the Cell C Headquarters. The World's Press gathered, and I sat infront of rows of microphones and photographers ready to get their image.

I took breath, and read my statement:



Ending the statement, and as the cameras began to flash, all I could do was put on a brave face. The Cell C management said a few words, thanking me for my effort and commitment during my short time as a rider with the team, and with that, the Press Conference came to a close.

More importantly, my Pursuit of Glory had come to an end!

A few days after my retirement, I sat at my parent's home in Manchester, looking through a scrapbook that my Dad had put together over my years as a Professional Cyclist.

The book started with my time at the Great Britain Development Team, where I annouced myself on the scene. I claimed my first Stage Race victory in Russia, dominated on the cobbles of Lincoln GP and the Durham round of the Tour Series.

Injury and off-season mishaps scuppered my big move to Trek Factory Racing, however I was able to secure a move to Europcar Team instead. My first season in the WorldTour also coincide with my change of nationality and riding under a South African license. I took double victory in the National Championships, but the highlight was the victory in the Grand Prix de Montreal before finishing 22nd at the World Championships in Spain.

A turbulent 2nd season with Europcar still brought me success, as I took early season victories in Dubai and the National TT Championships. Strong podiums finishes in the Ardennes was then followed Grand Tour stages win, the Points Jersey and time in the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d'Italia. However, clashes with the management team ended my time with the team, but a dream move was on the cards.

The return of HTC-Highroad gave me the chance to ride for the team of my dreams, and it looked like a match made in heaven. Early season victories again dominated my palmares, before I topped my 2014 win in Canada with a victory in the Milano-San Remo Spring Classic. A disappointing Ardennes campaign was forgotten about when I took another Grand Tour stage win, this time in the Tour de France, before I ended the season with a World Road Race podium.

An horrendous crash just after the World Championships saw the end of my time at HTC, and signed with the newly formed Cell C ProCycling p/b travelstart. A late start to the season saw me take my sole victory of 2017 at the Mzansi Tour, before the affects of the accident brought an early end to my season, and career.

Now that the story has officially ended, I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has followed or commented on the story over the past year!

In The Pursuit of Glory was one of my longest and most successful stories to date, and for a short while on the site, it was my only reason for visiting. The support along the way was fantastic, especially from sutty68, jandal7, trekbmc and HuDCC, as well as mvhoogdalem, fernando97, cycleman123 and he who shall not be named when the story was just gaining its legs.

Whilst lasting 5 season, I agree that the story had a sudden downfall. Honestly, I made the mistake during the 3rd season when Martijn was with Europcar, and took the story down a path that I hadn't entirely thought out. Looking back, I should have kept Martijn at Europcar, as the two seemed to be a good match. However, I can't go back and change things.

I am looking at coming back with a new story, once the 2015 PCM Expansion Pack is released, so watch this space

Thanks to everyone again,
Phil