Between road and track, with heart and mind: Elia Viviani says goodbye to the world of cycling and competitive sports and does so with two final pedal strokes. First, on the roads of home, at the Veneto Tour on October 15, to honor the places where he grew up, and then on the track, which has given him so much, during the World Championships in Santiago, Chile (October 22-26, 2025). After that, the Italian will dismount from his saddle with the smile and elegance that have always distinguished him, knowing he has given his all.

Born in 1989, Viviani is serene, proud of his journey. How could he not be, after years of extraordinary achievements and bringing Italian colors to the top? Flag bearer at the Tokyo 2020 Games, alongside Jessica Rossi, his trophy case boasts three Olympic track medals. Unforgettable are the gold won in the omnium in Rio de Janeiro 2016, the bronze, again in the omnium in Tokyo 2021, and the silver with Simone Consonni in the madison at Paris 2024. His palmares is further enriched by eight world podiums and more than ten European golds. On the road, he has collected 90 victories, including five stages at the Giro d'Italia, three at the Vuelta, and one at the Tour de France. "I started this last season wanting to prove something, I wanted to decide when to stop, even though many asked me in recent months if I wanted to retire. The merger of my team, Lotto, with another convinced me that this would be my final year. I know I'm still at a good level and that's why I want to close at the World Championships, maybe aiming for the world jersey. You know it's time to let go of everything when you're not as competitive as always, or to be competitive everything must be perfect, in a way that wasn't possible before".

A well-considered choice that, looking back on his entire career, leaves no regrets. "I would do everything 100% again: I'm absolutely happy with what I've achieved. Cycling taught me how to live, it gave me both a sporting and human education. I would never have seen so many places in the world if it weren't for my sport. It gave me satisfaction and has always been a part of me and my life".

Just like when that eight-year-old boy juggled school and competitive sports, growing by grinding kilometers on the roads of home. It was just right to close in his Veneto: "Several circumstances aligned: this year, arriving in Verona, I thought it would be the perfect day to do my last road race, in my city, with fans, friends, and relatives".