The grand lady of cycling says goodbye: next year we will no longer see Maria Giulia Confalonieri in the World Tour race groups, or even in simple international races. The Brianza native from Seregno hangs up her bike at the age of 32, exactly like legendary champions Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

There are many reasons to appreciate Maria Giulia, and perhaps she is leaving competitive cycling too hastily. "Recent cycling history – admits Maria Giulia, married to Mattia for 3 years – shows that many girls have performed exceptionally uphill until 40, sometimes with different activities during adolescence, and I myself felt competitive in the 2025 season. However, I'm stopping: I want to experience other emotions, live different situations."

In the last 3 seasons, the brunette has raced with Uno X, a Norwegian team. She is also registered with Fiamme Oro (Police). "Particularly from January onwards – continues Maria Giulia Confalonieri, World Champion in junior points race – I will decide what position to take in agreement with the Police. And then I want to dedicate myself to family."

Among the Elite, she boasts a victory in a stage race in Belgium. In the last season, Confalonieri collected 3 podium placements. Her career concluded on October 7th with a third place in Binche, Belgium; she stood on the podium with winner Lorena Wiebes, the world's number one sprinter, and Lara Gillespie.

"In recent years – explains 'emmegi' Confalonieri – I often led out sprints for my teammates, as the last rider in the train. On the track, Confalonieri became 2-time European Champion, and also finished third in the 2018 World Championship madison with Trentino's Letizia Paternoster.

The Seregno native had many mentors. Growing up in Fiorin, her first was naturally Daniele Fiorin. "He has great merits, he guided me towards multi-specialization". For many years, Dino Salvoldi was the coach for Elite women. "With him, I refined my track skills". At Valcar, her main coach was Davide Arzeni. "Besides directing me – notes Maria Giulia – he was also my athletic trainer for years". Her career is rich with races representing Italy. "Regarding the National Team, I have one regret: I never managed to participate in the Olympics. Recently at the Olympic Games, coaches had to prioritize quartet holders due to limited spots. This also happened at the recent World Championships in Chile: coach Villa could only bring 5 girls from endurance specialties who covered the entire program".

Maria Giulia's performance was consistent throughout her career: "It becomes difficult for me to choose the best year". And the most difficult? "I could say 2016. Actually, there's no year more difficult than others. The debut among Elite races was tough. Arriving from the Juniors category, even with the World Points Race title, and fitting into the Elite category where many athletes perform strongly, is challenging".

In 2012, at her Elite debut, she nearly won the international race in Crema, showing her excellent level. "Then – she continues – there are other difficulties due to various team changes. Changing bikes, trainers, sports directors, and general habits sometimes takes time. It's a sensation I felt in the first months of 2023 at Uno X. I was coming from Ceratizit".

In the beautiful film of Maria Giulia's career, cyclocross occupies a predominant space in the youth categories. In 2006, she disputed her first cross at the Italian Championship in Lecce during the Epiphany period, and won it. At that time, for "first-year beginners", the national title was the first cross race. The Fiorin girl started when the starter lowered the flag. After 100 meters, she had a 20-meter lead, which then expanded. "In the case of Lecce 2006, I must thank Daniele Fiorin, who, having seen me perform in some road races as a G6 months earlier, convinced me to participate". Cyclocross victories were numerous. Her last victorious cross was the Junior Italian Championship at Capannelle Hippodrome in January 2011. "After that success, I dedicated myself only to road and track, also because the Juniors is an international category with inevitable overlaps. And then came the triumph at the World Championships in Moscow in the points race".

Maria Giulia was elected as a councilor of the Italian Cycling Federation in the national elections of January 2025. "During the season, I participated in FCI meetings remotely. Now I have more time to experience council meetings live: I'll try to contribute to cycling".