The 31-year-old avoided using the word retirement and has not ruled out a return to the sport.
But he is definitely taking a break while he pursues a change of direction which combines his passion for the environment and his love of adventure sport.
"I don't feel like I'm retiring," Leuchs said. "I feel like it is evolution from one sort of a race to another . . . I'm as focused as I always have been. It is just for a new goal, I guess."
Leuchs is taking on a role as an ambassador for the 350.org.nz movement - an organisation committed to raising awareness about global climate change - and has formed a company which will focus on marketing within the adventure sports industry.
Through his business he hopes to "raise the global profile of some of the amazing mountain biking and adventure destinations and events we have in New Zealand".
He has also enrolled for further study through University of Otago.
Leuchs raced professionally for 12 years and represented New Zealand at three Olympics and in 14 world championship events.
"I know I did my very best, especially in the last three years. I know I put everything I could into my racing. As a top athlete, that is all you can ask of yourself."
Leuchs has asthma but he remained philosophical about his chronic illness.
"That was my weak point . . . but I think I had periods where I was pretty free of asthma and other times was affected quite badly."
His decision to return home was aided by the disintegration of the Felt International mountain bike team.
He had signed a four-year deal but soon after arriving in South Africa for the first event, he realised the team was in a terrible state.
"We had no support people . . . and we were missing all sorts of equipment. One month later, the team company collapsed and had to let go of its riders."
