SIR Chris Hoy is both a great Scot and a born winner.

It was the prospect of failing to fulfil Scottish dreams at Glasgow 2014 in the velodrome that bears his name that contributed to his decision to retire. As he put it: "I didn't want to go to Glasgow and not be capable of winning." With typical generosity, he preferred to cede his place to a younger competitor with real medal prospects, pledging that he will be there to cheer him on.

Not every great athlete and sportsman knows when it is time to stop. History is littered with the names of those who, unable to resist the limelight, insist on continuing to compete through a sad decline, increasingly plagued by injury.

Next year, Sir Chris will be 38. He is already not only Scotland's but Britain's greatest Olympian, with a tally of six golds and a silver, plus a clutch of bronze medals in a variety of track cycling events. His extraordinary 19-year career has also included 11 world titles, half a dozen world and Olympic records and a host of awards. Far from being a sporting career cut short, it is extraordinary that it went on so long. As Andy Murray reflected yesterday, that longevity is a tribute to both his athleticism and his application. He also showed that it is possible to combine a determination to win with respect for opponents and unfailing courtesy. As fellow cyclist Mark Cavendish dubbed him yesterday: "One of the nicest men on or off his bike."

Many assumed he had given his best in 2008 in Beijing, when he came away with three gold medals. But, despite a back injury, he came back for more four years later and collected two more, providing some of the most thrilling moments of London 2012. Clearly the games took more out of him than he realised. Now is the right moment to cross the finishing line of an extraordinary career at the highest level and go cycling for fun.

He has not only inspired a generation of young cyclists at the elite level but has done perhaps more than anyone to turn a minority sport into a mass participation pastime. It is a revolution that is both green and democratic, with around two million men, women and children in the UK, now cycling every week. Thanks to him, "on yer bike" will never again have quite the same connotation.

Now a new chapter awaits him, as ambassador for Glasgow 2014 and Glasgow's bid for the 2018 Youth Olympics, as well as mentoring GB athletes preparing for the Rio Olympics. It is a tribute to him that he takes pride in both his Scottish and British identities, happy to wave both the Saltire and the Union flag, depending on the occasion. Yesterday, he wisely wheeled around questions about the independence referendum campaign. Meanwhile, his commitment to clean competition in a sport that has been so badly tainted by drug cheats suggests that he could have a larger role in rehabilitating world cycling. Though he may not compete again, he will have much to contribute to the sport and beyond.