Colbrelli, the heart‑stopping figure in Volta, steps away from cycling
Sonny Colbrelli, the Italian rider who rose to prominence after clinching Paris‑Roubaix in 2021 under tough conditions, announced a life‑changing decision this year. After the heart attack he suffered on March 21, shortly after finishing the first stage of Volta a Catalunya in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, he chose to leave professional cycling. The statement from his Bahrain Victorious team framed the move as a careful, long‑planned step, driven by medical realities rather than ambition alone.
While his refusal to continue racing is a personal turning point, Colbrelli’s reflections echo a broader truth: cycling unfolds on busy public roads, not on a controlled pitch. The same urgency that can make a football match thrilling also makes road racing risky when a heart condition is involved. Colbrelli’s words were clear in their tone of cautious realism: the sport demands constant, high‑intensity effort, and the environment is far from the sanitised setting of a stadium.
a week in Girona
Colbrelli spent a critical week at the Josep Trueta Hospital in Girona, where medical evaluations confirmed that he faced an unstable cardiac arrhythmia that required a defibrillator. The diagnosis marked a pivotal moment in the rider’s career, shifting the focus from competition to long‑term health and safety. The team and doctors agreed that preserving life and quality of life had to take precedence over pursuing victory on the bike.
The next phase saw the Italian athlete fly to Italy for further assessment at the Cardiology Clinic of the University of Padua. A cardiovascular team led by Professor Domenico Corrado conducted a comprehensive examination, coordinating care with Colbrelli and the Bahraini medical staff. The outcome was the implantation of a subcutaneous defibrillator, a device designed to monitor heart rhythms and deliver a corrective shock if severe arrhythmias recur. This lifesaving technology is commonly used in cases where exercise intensity and adrenaline could put the heart at further risk.
Colbrelli stressed that despite the challenge, there was never any doubt about continuing medical supervision. He spoke openly about the pathway back, acknowledging that returning to elite competition with an implanted defibrillator would be a complicated process under Italian law. The decision to proceed with the device, however, reflected a commitment to safe training and a gradual, supervised return to activity if circumstances allowed.
Discussion with his wife, family, teammates, and treating specialists was central to his approach. The possibility of removing the defibrillator was contemplated briefly, but medical guidance and the nature of his sport made such a step inadvisable. The risk of a major event during a race or even during training on lesser traveled roads could be catastrophic, and Colbrelli chose to prioritize a lifetime safety net over any potential short‑term gains on the bike.
Colbrelli noted that the heart‑related challenge is not merely about endurance; it is about the kind of support system a rider has when training deep into remote areas or long hours away from immediate medical help. The duties of medical teams, the role of family, and the discipline of a rigorous recovery protocol all come into sharper focus in such circumstances. He emphasized the importance of a careful, medically supervised path forward rather than a reckless return to peak performance.
Looking ahead, Colbrelli reflected on his career and the lessons learned from his most challenging season. He had hoped to use Volta to build momentum toward a second Paris‑Roubaix victory, a goal that now sits on a different horizon. Yet his commitment remains clear: he will stay with his team in a non‑racing capacity, serving as an ambassador and inspiring younger riders who look up to him as a example of resilience and responsibility. His message to fans and aspiring cyclists has been consistent—life can offer more than one path, and the choice to protect one’s health is not a concession but a priority.
Colbrelli’s experience has drawn comparisons with other athletes who faced similar medical hurdles. While those stories include athletes who continued competing with implanted defibrillators, Colbrelli’s case underscores how different sports carry distinct risk profiles. Cycling’s open road format, combined with intense intervals and long training hours, demands strict medical oversight. The rider’s decision mirrors a growing emphasis on heart health and long‑term well‑being among professional athletes, a trend that places prudence ahead of immediate sporting gain.
As a European Champion in 2021 and at the height of his career, Colbrelli demonstrated not only athletic skill but also the courage to adjust an ambitious plan in light of medical realities. He is now steering his career beyond competition toward mentorship and representation, hoping to guide the next generation with honesty about the sacrifices involved in elite sport. He remains a symbol of perseverance, choosing to pursue sound health while continuing to contribute to the broader cycling community with a smile and a forward‑looking mindset.
In this moment of transition, the cycling world watches a champion redefine success. The path may be different, but the essence remains—the drive to push boundaries, maintain safety, and find purpose beyond the finish line. Colbrelli’s story serves as a reminder that true sport intelligence includes listening to the heart, both literally and figuratively, and choosing a future that protects life and well‑being above all.