Davide Rebellin announces retirement after 30 years as a professional cyclist

Davide Rebellin is what most would call the utmost representation of a veteran in the peloton, and after 30 years racing as a professional cyclist, 2022 will finally be his last year in the peloton.

The announcement was reported by journalist Daniel Friebe. He entered the peloton in 1992 before the era of Lance Armstrong and Marco Pantani, and has ridden through several generations, witnessing the rise and fall of the two names above, Miguel Indurain, Alberto Contador, Chris Froome and many others - although his focus was mostly in the classics and one-day races, where he's seen dozens of other world-class talents begin and end their career whilst he stayed in the peloton.

Rebellin is a former winner of the trio of Ardennes Classics - Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallone and Liège-Bastogne-Liège - in 2004 which has made him one of the more successful classics riders in history. He's taken 61 pro wins (according to Pro Cycling Stats) which also includes the GC at Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico and several other high-level races.

The Italian has since 2017 been racing through several Continental teams, expanding his passion for cycling and succeeding in finding contracts throughout the year which he has used to be able to reach a whole 30 years in the peloton. Now, at 51 years of age and racing for the Work Service Vitalcare Vega, he will finally hang up his wheels.