Richie Porte will reset after his Tokyo Olympics disappointment as he considers what to target in the last phase of his professional cycling career.
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The Australian star came to his second Olympics with big hopes in the road race and time trial, but failed to fire in either.
After finishing 48th in the road race, he was 27th in the time trial on Wednesday as compatriot Rohan Dennis won the bronze medal.
Porte called his time trial ride a "stinker" and made no excuses, saying his legs simply let him down.
But the Launceston rider noted it was better than his other Olympics five years ago, when he left Rio with his arm in a sling after crashing out of the road race.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider now has a break from racing until the September 5-12 Tour of Britain.
"I just need to get back home and maybe take it easy for a little bit," he said.
Porte, 36, had confirmed before Tokyo that next year will be his professional swansong, closing out one of Australian cycling's great careers.
Last year, he became only the second Australian after Cadel Evans to make the Tour de France podium.
Earlier this month he was a domestique at the Tour for Richard Carapaz, who finished third overall before winning the road race gold medal for Ecuador.
Porte's highlight so far this season was winning the Criterium Dauphine, the sort of one-week stage race that has become his specialty.
"At this point in career, whether or not I do another grand tour, I was below what I expected at the Tour (de France) as well," he said.
"I'm motivated for next year, to go and maybe clean up a few more one-week stage races before calling a career.
"That's it for me, I will be 37 and it's time to move on to other things in life."
Porte said he had spoken to his coach Tim Kerrison, about stage races such as Tirreno Adriatico and the Tour of the Basque Country.
While Tokyo has been disappointing, he took solace in fellow Launceston native Ariarne Titmus winning her second gold medal.
Porte is also a keen swimmer - he came to cycling from triathlon - and they used to swim for the same club in their home town.
"She's been brilliant. It's great for Launceston, you've got Ricky Ponting and Ariarne. It's great to be from a great sporting city like 'Launie'," he said.
Australian Associated Press
