Former time-trial world champion Michael Rogers has announced his retirement from professional cycling due to a heart condition.

The 36-year-old Australian had not raced since pulling out of the Dubai Tour in February.

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A worsening heart condition has forced the Tinkoff rider to call time on his 16-year professional career.

I’m grateful for my time as a professional cyclist. It’s time to announce my retirement. Thank you cycling! https://t.co/ee6uU6kwQ4

— Michael Rogers (@mickrogers) April 25, 2016

“Recent cardiac examinations have identified occurrences of heart arrhythmia which have never been detected beforehand,” added Rogers in an open letter.

“This latest diagnosis, added to the congenital heart condition I was diagnosed with in 2001, means that my competitive career must end.

“In hindsight I’m grateful my original cardiac condition, a malformation of the aortic valve, remained stable until recently, allowing me to compete from my humble beginnings in the Australian outback town of Griffith, all the way to top of the professional ranks.”

Rogers competed in four Olympic Games, winning bronze in the road time-trial in Athens in 2004.

He won the world time-trial title three years in a row from 2003-2005.

He competed in 12 editions of the Tour de France winning a stage in 2014, the same year he won two individual stages at the Giro d’Italia.

“Whilst I’m disappointed to miss my 13th Tour de France and a chance to compete at my fifth Olympic Games, I’m not prepared to put my health in jeopardy,” he said.

“The opportunity of being a professional cyclist is that after retirement the challenge of a whole new career beckons.

“And even more importantly, I married the woman of my dreams 11 years ago, and together we are raising three particularly animated daughters.”