Lotto Soudal veteran Maxime Montfort has announced his retirement from the pro peloton after the 2019 season; the 36-year-old, who has been playing professionally since 2004, announced his decision via Twitter.

Montfort is currently in his sixth season with the Belgian squad and has spent time with Cofidis, Colombia-HTC, and Leopard-Trek after starting with Landoukrediette.

He has won five races, including the 2009 Belgian Time Trial Championships, the 2004 Tour de Luxembourg, and the 2010 Bayerische Lundfahrt.

Montfort said his choice was a difficult one, but he came to the conclusion that it was the right time to put an end to his career.

"It is not without emotion that I announce that I am ending my career as a professional cyclist. It was a difficult decision. 'I have had some great moments in my role as a teammate, especially in the Tour de France.

"I chose to end on a beautiful note. I could have spent another year in the peloton, but I am convinced that the time has come to stop."

Montfort, whose sixth place was moved up to fifth in the 2011 Vuelta a España due to Juan Jose Cobo's disqualification, competed in the last 20 Grand Tours of his career in July.

He finished 142nd in Paris in the Tour and won four stages in Lotto Soudal, thanks to Caleb Yuan and Thomas De Gendt.

The Belgian's last race will be next month at the Famennes Ardennes Classic near his hometown of Nadrine in the Walloon region.

"We are actively discussing a new professional project," Montfort said. I will tell you more soon, but my desire is to continue throwing myself into cycling. Before that, I want to finish the season in the best way possible.

"My last race will be the Famennes Ardennes Classic in Marché-en-Famennes on Sunday, October 6. This race will be held in my beloved province of Luxembourg, close to my hometown of Nadrine. [It's] a very symbolic race."