Veteran of professional peloton confirms 2025 will be his last season: "I arrive at this turning point with a smile"
Cycling
2025 will be the last season in a long career of home favourite Alessandro De Marchi. After 15 seasons at the highest level of cycling, the 38-year-old will hang up his bicycle in the jersey of Jayco AlUla.
"I have decided that the 2025 cycling season will be my last as a professional cyclist," De Marchi said in a video posted via Jayco AlUla's social channels. "I arrive at this turning point with only happy memories and a smile, even though this type of decision is never easy. I have achieved so much in both my life and my career, obviously with some regrets, but I want to listen to my heart and it is time to change."
"Those who know me have probably seen this coming, but let's begin from the start," he said. "First, I would like to read you something: 'Sometimes change is not suffered, it is desired. It is a push that comes from within, that wants to be recognised, and above all to be listened to.' This is a phrase I came across in a book, and by no coincidence it sums up perfectly the process that I have been going through these last months."
Though the remaining races will now mark an ending, the Italian vowed to take on the rest of the season with the same drive and enthusiasm as ever.
"I dived into this season with the same spirit as the first, 15 years ago. Nothing has changed and I'm ready to do what I've always done: give 100%. What is for sure is that I'm going to fully enjoy the last moments of my career," he said. "What I ask you is to cheer a little bit more than usual, and of course I'll see you on the road."
Alessandro De Marchi turned professional with late Gianni Savio's Androni Giocattoli in 2011 and although his career was bound with racing on Italian roads, his greatest success came abroad. The 38-year-old can look back with pride at three Vuelta a Espana stage triumphs (2014, 2015 and 2018) while his wish of a victory at his home Grand Tour was never granted though De Marchi came close on several occasions.
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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