“The fire is still burning” – Key SD Worx-Protime domestique signs on for one final season

Veteran Italian racer Elena Cecchini will extend her professional cycling career into 2026, signing a one-year contract with SD Worx-Protime for a farewell season after more than a decade and a half in the peloton. The 32-year-old, who turned pro in 2011, has been a key road captain and a solid domestique for the Dutch squad since joining in 2021.

“Initially, I thought 2025 would be my farewell, but I still feel the motivation to continue. The fire is still burning. I want to give it my all one more time, in every race, at every moment,” Cecchini said as the team confirmed the deal in an official statement.

“I had one last goal in my career, and that was to participate in the Olympic Games in Paris. Thanks to the support of Team SD Worx-Protime, I was able to achieve that. So, I wanted to give it my all one more time in 2025. To really enjoy everything one last year. To help the team by being a guide and supporting my leaders in the races.”

“I’m also a pretty stubborn person. Once I’ve made a decision, I usually stick to it,” she admitted. "But I couldn't enjoy myself last winter because something was going on on a personal level. I consider preparation an important part of the season. So I focused on the Classics and would think about the future afterward".

Even if 2025 was planned to be her last year, she changed her mind throughout the season. "During our reconnaissance for the Tour de France Femmes, Danny Stam asked me what I wanted to do after my career. I told him I wasn't sure yet if I wanted to retire. We had good conversations afterward, and Danny gave me all the time I needed to make my decision. I felt like this story wasn't over yet. As a top athlete, you lead a privileged life. Once you retire, it doesn't come back. So I'm happy with my decision."

While Cecchini no longer targets personal victories, she aims to help her teammates reach the top step in her final year. “What do I hope to achieve in this final year? I am realistic enough to know that I no longer have what it takes to win races myself,” she said.

“But in our team, we do have riders who can win. Only one rider will step onto the podium, but behind it all lies the work of many. It makes me happy to be part of that. To achieve goals together. I'm fortunate to have experienced many great victories with this team. But we'll never take success for granted. You never get used to winning; you have to work hard for it every time as a team.”

Cecchini also shared some advice with the younger generations. "I'm proud to have witnessed the evolution of women's cycling. My advice to young riders is to never take what they have for granted. I don't take anything for granted myself, because I understand where we come from. I come from a time when I only had two jerseys and one bike, and even as a pro, my parents still had to take me to races."

"Now the support is optimal, and we're reaping the benefits of that today. That's nice, but sometimes frustrating too. You get better and better, but the pain never lessens. The level rises, everyone improves, and the younger riders naturally have stronger bodies. But it's all about mindset. I tell myself: 'It never gets easier, you just go faster.' If I could choose one more race that I hope to win with Team SD Worx-Protime, it's the Trofeo Alfredo Binda. It would be great to experience a victory in that race too," she concluded.

Team manager Danny Stam praised Cecchini as “the perfect example of how a professional athlete should function,” calling her a road captain who carries the team both on and off the bike. “When she indicated that she was considering staying on for another year, we did not hesitate for a second to offer her a contract extension. A rider like her is rare in modern cycling.” he said.

“Her importance to our team’s successes in recent years cannot be underestimated. You can count on her in every area. She is a sounding board, tactically and technically strong. Both on and off the bike, she is always there. She has developed into a leader. It is strategically important that we can ensure continuity in this dynamic cycling environment by keeping our road captain with us for another season. When Elena ends her career next year, she will be remembered as a pioneer who worked tirelessly to lower the barriers to entry in cycling,” he concluded.