Former right-hand woman for Vollering, Wiebes, Kopecky and more retires from professional cycling at age 34
Cycling
Pro cycling has lost one of its veterans in the women's peloton. Elena Cecchini is ending her career in the sport after many years of having supported some of the world's very best riders.
The Italian rider, married to former pro rider Elia Viviani, has been a long-standing member of the women's peloton. She is part of the peloton since 2011 but her time near the top began in 2014 when she became Italian national champion on the road.
She would go on to conquer this title on two more occasions; whilst she would then also win the time trial on two occasions - with a Mediterranean Games title added into the mix. Her final win as a pro was back in 2019, her penultimate years with Canyon//SRAM Racing in which she raced from 2016 to 2020.
From 2021 onwards she opened a new path in her career, as a domestique in what has arguable become the most successful team in modern women's cycling's: Team SD Worx - ProTime,
Cecchini's role would change, but instead of taking victories, she helped build on the many dozens of triumphs from riders such as Demi Vollering, Lorena Wiebes, Lotte Kopecky, Anna van der Breggen and more. Cecchini is in fact the one who's been part of the team for the longest amount of time as a rider.
Elena Cecchini racing for SD Worx
Tributes to Elena Cecchini
As a teammate and friend to many of the world's best, there was no shortage of tributes to the Italian. "Cheers to a wonderful career, and all the best for your next chapter," Demi Vollering wrote. "You were often my roommate, and I’ve shared both good times and bad with you; we’ve laughed so much, cried, and had deep conversations late into the night. Thank you for everything you’ve done and for the woman you are".
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Former European Champion Mischa Bredewold was equally thankful for the years spent alongside Cecchini: "From the bottom of my heart: you are one of the most special teammates there is. You are so loyal, and I have learned so much from you".
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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