Three-time Olympic medallist Elia Viviani has announced that he will retire from cycling at the end of the season.The announcement means the Tour de France stage-winning rider will compete in his last road race at the Giro del Veneto on October 15 before taking to the track one last time at the Track World Championships in Chile between October 22 and 26.
Viviani won the gold medal in the omnium at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games before picking up bronze in the same event five years later in Tokyo.
He also competed in the Madison in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games, winning the silver medal.
Viviani revealed in his retirement announcement that he wants to compete for the rainbow journey at his final World Championship appearance.
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“I started this final season wanting to prove something,” he said.
“I wanted to be the one to decide when to stop, even though many people asked me over the past months if I was ready to retire.
“The merger of my team, Lotto, with another squad, convinced me that this would be my final year.
“I know I’m still at a good level, which is why I want to end at the World Championships – maybe even chasing that rainbow jersey.
“[But] you know it’s time to let go when you’re not as competitive as before, or when everything has to be perfect just to keep up, when once it came naturally.”
Viviani’s announcement means the Lotto rider will call time on his illustrious career on the road in the Italian region of Veneto.
The 36-year-old started his cycling journey in the area, and he believes that it will be the perfect place to bring his time competing in road races to a close.
“Everything aligned perfectly this year,” he said.
“With the Giro del Veneto finishing in Verona, I thought this would be the perfect moment to ride my last road race: in my hometown, surrounded by fans, friends, and family.”
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