Sonny Colbrelli retires, message: ‘Pacemaker saves my life’

“Yes, I thought about removing the pacemaker so I could try to get back into running. But that would be too risky. I’ve always wished I could go back to a runner, as we spoke to the football player Eriksen’s doctor, who is back to play. But football isn’t cycling. It’s played in a place where doctors are there to intervene in an emergency. The road cycling is done, and you often find yourself alone for hours. This pacemaker is a lifesaver for me, and taking it off was too risky, I can’t take it.” This is the most poignant passage in the open letter that Sonny Colbrelli, through his Bahrain team Victorious, has formalized his retirement from competitive activity, which Gazzetta dello Sport predicted on Saturday.

Victories and fear

–

The 32-year-old left Brescia at the height of his career after a remarkable 2021: Italian champion at Imola, European champion in Trento, king of Paris-Roubaix made his debut in the Queen of the Classics. On March 21, at the end of the first stage of the Volta Catalunya in Spain, he collapsed to the ground due to cardiac arrest and was saved by the intervention of a nurse with a defibrillator: a few days later, a defibrillator was implanted by Professor Corrado in Padua under the skin which intervenes in the case of Arrhythmia. Due to strict Italian health regulations, competitive sports eligibility cannot be granted to anyone who wears a defibrillator.

new challenges

–

But this is life. I risked losing it and life gave me a second chance. I believe in God, I can’t take that risk, I owe it to my family, Adelina (his wife), Vittoria and Tommaso (Children), Dad. I bid farewell to cycling with a smile for all the good things it has given me, even if it hurts too much to leave the country after a season like this. My kids look at my Roubaix picture, all covered in mud, and I’m like a superhero to them. There are challenges New prepares me, I thank my team Bahrain Victorious who has been like family: I will be able to be a point of reference for the team and for our formations such as the Friuli Cycling Team and the U19 Cannibals. I will be an ambassador for our partners and will work closely with the performance group and share my experience with my colleagues.” Milan Erzen, general manager of the Bahrain team adds: “Sony has always been a part of this group. He is a champion and has allowed us to achieve amazing results. The most important thing is his health. He will continue with us and share his experience with us.”