ROME, Nov. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Former cycling world champion Michele Bartoli said he was retiring from the sport on Wednesday, one year before his contract with the Danish team CSC expires.

    Bartoli, 34, World Cup champion in 1997, said he made the decision because of recurring back pain.

    Physical problems prevented him from competing for Italy at the Athens Olympics and the world road championships in Verona this year.

    "I don't know the reason for the pain, perhaps due to the streak of accidents I suffered in the last few years," Bartoli was quoted as saying by Italy's sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

    Bartoli secured 57 wins in his pro career, including seven in World Cup races from 1996 to 2003. Enditem