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Elia Viviani Retires as World Champion With Elimination Race Win in Santiago

He signals a move into team leadership after sealing his farewell with a calculated, front‑running ride.

Overview

  • The 36-year-old Italian beat New Zealand’s Campbell Stewart in the final sprint, with Dutch rider Yoeri Havik taking bronze.
  • The Santiago title came two weeks after he announced his retirement, making the elimination his planned last race.
  • Viviani has dominated the discipline since it joined the World Championships in 2021, taking three golds plus two other podiums in five editions.
  • He said he “played all the remaining adrenaline” in his last ten minutes on the track and prioritized staying forward to control eliminations.
  • He plans to remain in the sport off the bike, is considering management roles, and has urged greater investment in Italian velodromes beyond Montichiari’s limited availability.