Erik Zabel to retire early next month

Erik Zabel will compete for the final time in Munster, Germany on 3 October. (Damien Mayer/AFP/Getty Images)

German sprinter Erik Zabel, six-time winner of the Tour de France green jersey, will retire in early October, Team Milram announced today.

Zabel will compete for the last time in Munster, Germany on 3 October.

"I've had a lot of fun this season and managed to keep my main rivals on their toes. But I don't know if I can do it for another season, so I think it's the right time to stop," Zabel said in the team statement.

38-year-old Zabel has also won the Milan-San Remo classic four times. He is due to hold a press conference later today at the world road race championships in Varese, Italy.

© AFP 2008

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