Sonny Colbrelli has said he considered having his internal defibrillator - similar to a pacemaker - removed so he could continue with his career with Bahrain Victorious. Colbrelli almost died after suffering a cardiac episode at the end of the opening stage of Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (2.UWT) back in March but was revived by medical staff in the finish area.
He then had an internal defibrillator fitted to control his life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia. However, athletes with the device fitted are not allowed by the Italian authorities to resume their professional sporting careers. That rule blocked Colbrelli's return to cycling and the rider has now said he considered having the life-saving device removed so he could race again.
He said while footballer Christian Eriksen has a defibrillator - after collapsing on the pitch at the European Championships in 2020 - and has since resumed his career, the dangers were bigger in cycling because of the nature of racing and training on the bike.
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"Cycling is not football. It is a different sport; you ride on the streets. You do not play it on a football pitch, where, in case of need, the interventions of the medical team can be timely," he said in a statement confirming he was now retiring on health grounds. "(Footballers') training activities take place in a limited area, while in the case of a cyclist, you often find yourself alone for hours on little-travelled roads.
"Precisely this is what makes it more complicated to take another path to be able to compete again. Remove the defibrillator? I admit I considered it. But as mentioned, cycling is different from football. For the reasons mentioned, but above all, also for the intensity of the effort.
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"But first of all, removing the defibrillator is against the medical practice and means removing a lifesaver that is necessary as secondary prevention. A risk too high. A risk that I cannot afford to take. For me, for the opportunity that life, God I believe in, has given me. For Adelina, for Vittoria and for Tomaso. For my parents," he added, referring to his wife and children.
He had been set to announce his retirement at a press conference on November 15th but has now brought forward that announcement. Colbrelli and Bahrain Victorious issued a statement today confirming his career was over, adding he would still work with the team in a corporate capacity.
He said while he was devastated to have to retire aged 32 years, he would remember his win at Paris-Roubaix as his high point. But he had always hoped to win Grand Tour stages and the Tour of Flanders, which he said were dreams he must now let go of.
"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. That was the best of my career," he said of winning Paris-Roubaix, the Europeans, the Italian road race title and the GC at Benelux Tour in 2021, among a series of big wins.
"I’m ready to keep trying to be a champion, like on the bike. I will stay in cycling with the 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."
