Report: Cyclist Erik Zabel retires

LONDON, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Top German cyclist Erik Zabel announced his retirement Friday, ending a 16-year career, the BBC in London reported.

Zabel, 38, is Germany's best cyclist ever, having won 12 stages at the world's best known cycling event each year, the Milano-Sanremo four times, the Paris-Tours three times and the Amstel Gold Race once.

His retirement announcement had been expected.

"I don't know if I could do that for another season and think that this is the right moment to stop," he said in a release. "I had a lot of fun riding this year and could keep up with my rivals."

His final event will be next month at the Muensterland race in Giro, Germany.

Zabel's career was marred last year by his admission to using the prohibited blood booster EPO (erythropoietin) in 1996, when he won the first of his six Tour de France green jerseys, awarded to be most consistent finisher in all 21 stages.