Innokenty Zavyalov

This winter I made a decision to be done with professional racing. It’s been a good run, and it became overwhelmingly clear to me that it’s now time to hang it up. I feel so grateful to have met all of you incredible people through this sport. So many of you have been my support through thick and through thin. A heart felt thank you, you are a family I will always be a part of. 🙏

It’s a tough sport which teaches you so many important lessons. For now I feel I have learned all I can here and it’s time for the next journey. Life is so full and so beautiful and there are so many things we can learn and discover. It’s time I get off this crazy carousel because I am so curious what the rest of the amusement park has to offer .

I hope you enjoy this collection of photos through time. 2009-2024. From cat 5 at the local velodrome, to some big moments in big races. I overlapped with some incredible champion riders, caught a few eras of racing, rode on some studly teams. Sweet memories I will enjoy looking back on.

We all race for different reasons. And this may not come as a surprise, but some of us race to prove something, to chase or to run away from something. And as we work through that human emotional stuff, as we mature and heal.. sometimes, if lucky.. that “why” which comes from a dark place starts to dissipate. And then racing and competition in itself becomes a bit nonsensical. Or maybe I just turned into an old man all of the sudden! 😅

Im a cyclist for life, I will keep lining up on collegiate start lines, and some occasional off-road events.

Thank you for being part of this story. It’s a good one. Ride on.