Cheam cyclist and double Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell-Shand has retired, aged 28.

The London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games winner made the announcement on Tuesday, March 14.

In a 10-year career she also won five World titles, four European titles and several other championship medals.

Mrs Rowsell-Shand joined British Cycling's Talent Team programme in 2004 and four years later won her first world gold medal as part of the women's team pursuit squad in Manchester.

She went on to win her first Olympic gold medal alongside Dani King and Laura Trott in the team pursuit at London 2012, setting three consecutive world records in the process.

She recovered from a broken collarbone to retain her Olympic title in Rio in 2016, and also won four European gold medals and individual pursuit gold at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

A statement on Mrs Rowsell-Shand's website read: “I have enjoyed this fabulous career and the decision to step away has been the hardest I've ever had to make, but now is the time for me to move on. I believe I have more to offer the world and I'm now looking forward to the next phase of my life and new challenges.

“I want to thank the amazing team at British Cycling, from the world class team behind the team who work tirelessly to ensure we have the best preparation for events, to the very first youth coaches who talent spotted me back when I was 15. I couldn’t have done it without you.

“Thank you to all my team mates past and present, the cycling clubs and teams I have been a part of, my brilliant sponsors, the amazing fans for their fantastic encouragement, and to my family for their incredible support throughout my career.”

The retiree aims to set up her own company, Rowsell Shand Coaching, and is training for July’s L’Etape du Tour, which allows amateur riders to face along the same route as the Tour de France stage.