Elia Viviani returns to Ineos-Grenadiers: This feels like coming back to a family for me
Nov 02 2021 08:07 pm CET
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Ineos-Grenadiers has announced the signing of Italian rider Elia Viviani, who will make his return to the British formation with a three-year deal.
The sprinter spent three years in the team from 2015 to 2017, and wanted to return to it. After the currently known as Ineos-Grenadiers, Viviani was in Deceuninck-Quick-Step for two seasons and in Cofidis for another two, and has an extensive palmares in the track and the road that includes five stage wins in the Giro d'Italia, three in the Vuelta a España and one in the Tour de France.
"From the moment I left the team, I had in my head that one day I would come back – and now that day has come, and I couldn't be happier," said Viviani. "In my years away, I've never lost contact with the team – with Dave [Brailsford], Rod [Ellingworth], and with the Italian riders and coaches.
"I am really good friends with lots of the team members, and especially Dave. I never missed an opportunity to speak with him at races about cycling, my team, my season, and this team. This feels like coming back to a family for me.
"Next year the goal is to win as many races as I can because that's the job of a sprinter. But I can also support the young group of Grenadiers and pass on my experience. I hope I can be an example to follow and an experienced guy around the incredibly talented young group that is being built."
The Italian won a Gold medal in track at the omnium of the Olympics of Rio 2016 and he looks ahead to the next Games. "My deal takes me to Paris 2024," stated Viviani. "I realised how important the Olympics are to me this year and I am privileged to be in a team that will support me. I look at how Filippo [Ganna] was able to perform on the road for the team this year and on the track in Tokyo. I also remember Rio 2016 like it was yesterday, and how the team helped me then too. That Gold medal also partly belonged to this team.
"I've had a tough two years and the Olympics gave me back what I've missed – the legs, confidence, conviction and belief in myself. My Bronze medal this year has given me the belief to step up to my level again."
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