Sonny Colbrelli announces retirement and says goodbye to cycling. The Italian rider, winner of the Paris-Roubaix in 2021, in the Tour of Catalonia last March suffered a cardiac arrest immediately after the arrival of the stage, and for this reason he had to undergo an operation to install a subcutaneous defibrillator. The reasons for the farewell were explained by Colbrelli himself in the official statement published by his team, Bahrain Victorius: “After what happened in Catalonia, the hope of being able to continue being a professional rider has never abandoned me, even if minimal. that the way back would have been difficult with a defibrillator. In Italy it is not allowed by law. With the support of the medical staff, directed by Dr. Zaccaria, I did not give up. I resumed pedaling under strict medical supervision and underwent several visits and consultations with specialists in the sector. Among these, the director of the University Clinic of Padua, Prof. Corrado, who followed the implantation of the defibrillator. And an evaluation was also made by those who have followed similar cases, such as the footballer Christian Eriksen , who, like me, has a defibrillator and has resumed his professional career. But cycling is not football. It is a different sport; you drive on the streets. n soccer field, where, in case of need, the interventions of the medical team can be timely. Their training activities take place in a limited area, while in the case of a runner you often find yourself alone for hours on roads with little traffic. “” I admit that I have considered removing the defibrillator – adds Colbrelli -. But as mentioned, cycling is different from football. For the reasons mentioned, but above all, also for the intensity of the effort. But first of all, removing the defibrillator is against medical practice and means removing a life saver needed as a secondary prevention. Too high a risk. A risk that I cannot afford to take. For me, for the opportunity that life, God in whom I believe, has given me. For Adelina, for Vittoria and for Tomaso. For my parents. I say goodbye to cycling and I try to do it with a smile for the good it has given me, even if saying goodbye after a season like last year hurts. It was the best thing of my career. I learned what life offers. But it also returns in a different form. I am ready to continue trying to be a champion, like on the bike. “” I will remain in cycling with Bahrain Victorious, who have been close to me as a second family and will accompany me in this period of transition from a racer to a new role that is will evolve daily. I will be an ambassador for our partners, work closely with the performance group and share my experience with my teammates. I was delighted to see how children have modeled me over the past few months. Maybe, I tell myself, because the man covered in mud looks a bit like a superhero. For them I would like to do something sooner or later. In the meantime, I will also have the opportunity to be a reference for Team Bahrain Victorious and the development teams: Cycling Team Friuli and Cannibal U19. New challenges await me and with courage I prepare myself to face them. I want to do it with a smile on my face. I will continue to enjoy every race I do, even if just for fun and no longer for competition ”, concludes the 32-year-old from Brescia.