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Sonny Colbrelli to Become Ambassador at Bahrain Victorious After Forced Retirement

By Monica Buck

The 32-year-old Italian has been assured a technical and ambassador role at the Bahrain Victorious team. Sonny Colbrelli retired from professional cycling two weeks ago after having a defibrillator fitted as a result of his collapse shortly after finishing stage 1 of Volta a Catalunya on March 21st this year.

“I say goodbye to cycling and try to do it with a smile for the good it gave me, even if it hurts to say goodbye after a season like last year,” Colbrelli mentioned his 2021 Paris-Roubaix win. “That was the best of my career. I learned what life offers and what life takes. But it also gives back in a different form. I’m ready to keep trying to be a champion, like on the bike. I will stay in cycling with Bahrain Victorious who have been close to me like a second family and will accompany me in this transition period from a rider to a new role that 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 the children have taken me as a model in recent 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. Meanwhile, I will also have the opportunity to be a reference for Team Bahrain Victorious and the development teams: Cycling Team Friuli and the Cannibal U19.

Colbrelli joined Bahrain Victorious when the team was created in 2017. Team manager Milan Erzan told La Gazzetta dello Sport Colbrelli will “stay with us at least until 2024”.

“Sonny will be an ambassador, promoting the team and our different sponsors. We’re sure he can also share his experience with us, especially for the Classics. We’ll have a training camp in Spain in December and he can perhaps be there too and then take part in any reconnaissance we do in northern Europe.”

“Sonny has been part of this team from the very beginning. He is a champion, and I’m pleased that we could give him the support to achieve incredible results,” managing director of Bahrain Victorious Milan Erzen stated on the team’s website. “The most important thing is that Sonny is healthy. We are pleased that Sonny will continue with us and share his experience across our team and our development teams.”