THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, ELIA! This is the banner that appears in the stands of the Santiago velodrome right after the elimination race, just as Elia Viviani conquers a new world championship title in the last race of his career!

The Verona champion once again climbs to the top of the podium, once again reaching the top of the world by delivering a perfect elimination race, like a true master. He felt it and wanted it, racing mostly at the front, taking just the right risks, responding to the attacks of Dutch rider Yoeri Havik, who finished third, and beating New Zealand's Campbell Stewart.

Viviani races like a champion in the last race of his career, earning the tribute that the velodrome, his opponents, and fans pay him before and after his triumph. Elia's second embrace is loaded with a thousand meanings: the first was dedicated to his wife Elena, the second to Marco Villa, the man with whom Elia "built" the renaissance of Italian track cycling.

THE WORDS. Elia Viviani is moved on the podium: wearing the world champion jersey, he cuddles his gold medal, bites it as tradition dictates, and sings the Mameli anthem, barely moving his lips, emotional. Then the photo on the podium with the entire national team wearing a jersey with his profile and the words "The Last Dance, the Prophet". Marco Villa also puts a white cloak on the Verona native...

"I was really nervous, something that had never happened to me before, but then I managed to focus on the race. I want to thank the Federation for giving me the opportunity to come here, I finished exactly as I had dreamed, wearing the world champion jersey. And thanks to all the guys on the National team who are here and those who stayed home. I couldn't have asked more from myself: every athlete looking back has some regrets, but when you manage to achieve the results I've achieved, there's really nothing more to say. And allow me to thank the entire cycling world for everything I've received in these 16 amazing years."

photo Sprint Cycling Agency