"If I have a contract, I will continue. Otherwise I'll quit" - Domenico Pozzovivo hints retirement could be on the cards

Domenico Pozzovivo is one of the longest-standing members in the World Tour peloton but as the 40-year-old nears the end of his Israel - Premier Tech contract, retirement could be looming.

“I don't have a contract for next year yet. After my last race of this year, we will look into this further with my management," the vastly experienced Italian tells WielerFlits, admitting that at the moment, there is not much interest in his services. “There aren't many conversations. It is certainly possible that I will stop. Honestly? I still have the legs and the motivation to continue, but if that doesn't work, I'll stop,"

With 13 wins to his name and a grand total of 24 Grand Tours in his legs, including an incredible 17 appearances at the Giro d'Italia, Pozzovivo has no shortage of experience to pass on to the next generation of riders. This isn't the first time he's struggled to secure a contract however, having had to wait until March of this year before Israel - Premier Tech came calling. This time around, he won't be waiting so long.

“No, no… We will probably make that choice at the end of October. If I have a contract, I will continue. Otherwise I'll quit," he explains. "Because of that injury at the end of July, I still feel like racing in these last weeks. I came back in the Giro dell'Emilia and my form is improving."