Nibali in his Messina announces his farewell

MESSINA. “Vincenzo please one more photo.” The voice of the little boy attracts Nibali who, one step away from the van that has to take him to the hotel across the Strait, slows down and stops with his little fan. The latest assault by the fans, including his best friend, then off to the continent. The same path he took at 15 to try to fulfill his dream: to become a runner.

Twenty-three years later, a Tour de France, a Vuelta, two Giri d’Italia, a Sanremo, two Giri di Lombardia and much more on the showcase, and much more could have been without bad luck, the strongest Italian cyclist after Pantani has said stop.

And he chose Messina, his hometown, WEDNESDAY 11 MAY 2022, after the arrival of the fifth stage of the Giro. He had probably thought of doing it already in the autumn when in the Giro 2022 map he had seen his city of his heart. The idea made its way into his mind even more during the difficult spring characterized by Covid and various consequences. “A fortnight ago he told me”, explains the historical masseur under the stage of the “Processo alla Tappa” Rai, Michele Pallini. He is moved, he tries to restrain himself. He followed his champion like a shadow. On the Campi Elisi in 2014, with the pink jersey in the suitcase, at the end of the final straight at Sanremo 2018. In joys. And in pains like at the 2013 World Cup and the Olympics, or at the 2018 Tour when the Shark fell on Alpe d’Huez due to a fan while looking for the feat.

Nibali, on stage, among his people. The fans cheer him under, there are his parents, his sister, a nephew who looks like him crazy. «I wanted to announce my retirement at the end of the season here where it all started. It is a circle that closes. I wanted to close at Astana, a team that has given me so much and in which I had raced with “Scarpa” ». He is moved, Michele Scarponi it is in his heart.

In connection check Sonny Colbrelli, which pays tribute to the one who was also its captain. “I am excited – explains the cyclist whose heart stopped at the Vuelta Catalogna and who now knows with a defibrillator in his chest that he will no longer be able to compete – a great champion, a great person, retires.”

Vincenzo! Vincenzo! People cheer him on. He gets off the stage, smiles, greets the parents, a kiss to the grandchildren. They ask him if he will reconsider. “No. The decision is made, now I don’t know what I’ll do when I grow up, maybe I’ll stay in the world of cycling. Let me now give back what my family and people have given me over the years. The bike is passion and sacrifice, but without the family I would not have gotten anywhere ». And his wife Rachele from Lugano, where the Nibals have lived for years, comments between tears and irony: “Come on, at least you can do some housework for me”.

Lillo the Rose, historical friend of the Shark and organizer of yesterday’s stage, specifies: «Messina now gives him back something of the great popularity it has had thanks to Vincenzo. Thing? Finally, a plan of cycle paths that bears his name, so that little cyclists can grow their passion in safety, as Vincenzo was able to do, would be a great thing ».

An era is coming to an end for Italian cycling, never lacking in talent, and whose gaps for years have been hidden by the Shark. Not the Nibali Tour. He is a champion, proud, capable of fighting. Even at 38. And, rest assured, every stage start and finish now up to Verona will be a celebration for him. The shark Last Dance.

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