Top sprinter of last decade Giacomo Nizzolo set to retire at the end of the season

Giacomo Nizzolo (36) will conclude his professional career at the end of this season. The former European champion (2020) and two-time winner of the Giro d'Italia Points Classification (2015 and 2016) announced so on the eve of Italian Championships, a race he has won twice (2016 and 2020).

Nizzolo turned professional with Leopard Trek in 2011 and over the eight seasons with the Luxembourg/American team, he gained a reputation of one of the fastest men in the peloton. The Italian had very good years also with Doug Ryder's Team Qhubeka and although he left for Israel - Premier Tech when the team folded in 2021, he'll retire riding for Ryder again, wearing the jersey of Q36.5 Pro Cycling.

"This Sunday I will be competing in my last Italian Championship, a race that has always had a special meaning for me and which I have had the honor of winning twice, proudly wearing the tricolor jersey," said Nizzolo on his social media. 

"This year will be different: it will be the last time I will start this event, and also the last season of my professional career. After 15 years in the peloton, I feel it is the right time to announce the end of this incredible chapter of my life."

"It's been a journey of hard work, joy, wonderful victories, but also difficult moments," the sprinter continued. "I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, through both success and defeat. Cycling has been my life for 30 years in the saddle, and it will continue to be a part of it, but in a different form."

"This weekend, I want to savor every moment, especially the warmth of the Italian public, which has never failed me. I will give everything, one last time, to try to wear the tricolor jersey for the third time."