The veteran Otago cyclist has posted a heartfelt tribute on his website to all who have helped him pursue a professional career which included five Tours de France.
In the tribute he said it had been a fitting race to finish with.
"Two days ago I competed in my last UCI race and it was a beautiful send off. I suffered badly for 3 days in the high altitude mountains in Colorado but on the final day I was able to do what I have made a healthy career out of. Find my way to the front of the sprint with my team mate Travis on the wheel and drop him off at 200m to go.
"Could not have asked for a more fitting race...."
Henderson also represented New Zealand at five Olympics and four Commonwealth Games.
He has paid particular thanks to his parents who he says had the BMX bikes on the bike rack from the age of 5 and helped him with racing for the next 11 years.
Henderson intends to branch out into coaching.
