Manuele Boaro brings down the curtain on his career at the end of the season

Earlier today, Manuele Boaro announced on his social media that current season will be his last in professional peloton. The 36-year-old rider's victory count stands at three, winning stages at several smaller races. However, more than for winning, Boaro was known and respected as a loyal teammate and someone who never hesitated to give his all for his leaders.

"Today I'm riding my last race as a professional and there's already a bit of nostalgia. I'll miss the cheering of the people on the side of the road, I'll miss being in a group, pulling, covering the captain. I'll miss all this but I know I to have been lucky to have done the best job in the world."

"On the bike I learned to face life, it taught me what fatigue is, that there are often tough climbs, but that with determination you can face them. The bicycle taught me how to live, it gave me the opportunity to see the world, to discover distant places and to learn that team spirit is essential to achieving goals."

"I leave with great serenity, knowing that I have given my all for all the teams I worked for. Now I look to the future with optimism, certain that life will still have many satisfactions in store for me. Thanks to all of you who have always followed me even when things weren't going well and I owe the biggest thanks to my family who has always been by my side."