Sonny Colbrelli enjoys new life off the bike - "I am studying to be a sports director"

Sonny Colbrelli attended Milan-Sanremo, but not in the capacity of a rider. After retiring last year due to health issues, the Italian was eager to support Bahrain-Victorious and finally got the opportunity to do so this year as their flagship.

“ I will move on some points of the route; I will also be on the Poggio,” he told Repubblica. He continues, “It is my new life, I am studying to be a sports director. It's true, this life came suddenly, and I try to enjoy it. But the experience of someone who was in a group up to a year ago and raced the Sanremo 9 times is fundamental."

The Italian race holds a special place in his heart, and he has a rich history with it, cherishing those unforgettable moments.“ Impossible not to love a race that you never know how it will end: group or small group sprint, uphill or downhill attack, from the Cipressa, from the Poggio , there are those who won it like Chiappucci starting on the Turchino. Since 2016 it has always ended differently.”

“At Roubaix, especially when there's mud, like when I won it, you need stratospheric legs. Sanremo also takes a lot of luck. The weather and the wind above all are decisive variables. In 2013 I was there too, we found snow, they took us by bus to Cogoleto, we finished when it was dark. In a short sprint I could have had my say many times. I've never been better than sixth. I've never been in the right place at the right time."

All in all, he is finding fulfillment in his life while staying engaged in the cycling community. “I understood that cycling is made up of many details and giving water bottles the right way, don't mess around, it's far from simple. When you're on a bike you don't realize how fast you go. You know that when you're down to earth,” concluded Colbrelli.