Team Qhubeka NextHash cyclist Fabio Aru confirmed on the eve of the Vuelta di Spagna that he will retire from professional cycling at the end of the 2021 edition of the race. Aru chose the Vuelta to end his professional career, an event he won in 2015. It is a decision that came after a long time.
“Reaching this decision was not easy but it is something I have been thinking about and discussing with my family for some time. I’ve been running for 16 years and more than a decade as a pro, but now it’s time to prioritize other things in my life, my family. I hope I have been able to demonstrate the true values of sportsmanship throughout my career, and in doing so I have made people proud. I also want to express a deep sense of gratitude to all my former teammates and the staff of my former teams, Astana and Eau. We have shared some incredible moments that I will always be grateful for, ”said Aru.
“Finally, I want to pay special tribute to Team Qhubeka NextHash. I have to admit that when I joined the team I was aware that it was special, different, but I didn’t have a real understanding of what it was really going to be like. This team, undoubtedly, is absolutely unique not only in cycling but in all sport, I am incredibly proud to be racing here and honored to end my time as a pro with them, ”he continued.
«For now I am focused on participating in the Vuelta di Spagna to the best of my ability with my teammates from Team Qhubeka NextHash; and it is right that my journey ends here in Spain, a place and a race of which I have incredible memories », he concluded.