Colbrelli confirms retirement from pro cycling - "A risk too high"

Yesterday the news had been revealed, and today the confirmation from Bahrain - Victorious and Sonny Colbrelli have been officialized, with the Italian retiring from professional cycling with immediate effect.

“A year ago in this period, I spent my days celebrating the most important victory of my career, Paris-Roubaix. I never thought I would find myself a year later to face one of the most challenging moments that life has put me in front of," Colbrelli said in a press release. "But it’s my life that I want to be grateful for, a life I risked losing and which gave me a second chance."

Colbrelli collapsed after the finale of the opening stage of the Volta a Catalunya this year after finishing in second place. He had to be revived on scene, and was revealed later to have unstable cardiac arrhythmia, which has led him to be operated to insert a subcutaneous defibrillator which may save his live in case of any future event such as what happened in March.  

“After what happened at Catalunya, the hope of being able to continue being a professional rider has never abandoned me, albeit minimal," the Italian shared. "I knew that the way back would be difficult with a defibrillator. In Italy, it is not allowed by law." This, alongside the fact that in cycling riders often find themselves alone during training, sees him at risk of being in a position where medical care is not available as it was during the Spanish race.

"Precisely this is what makes it more complicated to take another path to be able to compete again. Remove the defibrillator. I admit I considered it... But first of all, removing the defibrillator is against the medical practice and means removing a lifesaver that is necessary as secondary prevention. A risk too high. A risk that I cannot afford to take. For me, for the opportunity that life, God I believe in, has given me. For Adelina, for Vittoria and for Tomaso (his wife and children). For my parents."

With this press release, Colbrelli confirms his retirement from pro cycling. "I say goodbye to cycling and try to do it with a smile for the good it gave me, even if it hurts to say goodbye after a season like last year," he continued. "That was the best of my career. I learned what life offers and what life takes. But it also gives back in a different form. I’m ready to keep trying to be a champion, like on the bike."

As for his future, it will remain with the Bahrain team, as he explains: "I will stay in cycling with the Bahrain Victorious, who have been close to me like a second family and will accompany me in this transition period from a rider to a new role that will evolve daily. I will be an ambassador for our partners, work closely with the performance group, and share my experience with my teammates."

With the team having a partnership with Cycling Team Friuli and Cannibal U19 development teams, Colbrelli is expected to have a guiding role with the riders coming up the ranks. Team's managing director Milan Ezren has shared the emotion regarding his continuation with the team in some form: "Sonny has been part of this team from the very beginning. He is a champion, and I’m pleased that we could give him the support to achieve incredible results."

"The most important thing is that Sonny is healthy. We are pleased that Sonny will continue with us and share his experience across our team and our development teams," he concluded.

Colbrelli is the winner of races such as Paris-Roubaix, European Championships and the BinkBank Tour all in 2021, aswell as winning several Italian classics and World Tour stages throughout the years. He's finished his career tally with a total of 34 professional wins.