Ten years have passed since Vincenzo Nibali secured his second Giro d’Italia title, a victory etched into cycling lore for its dramatic final stages. The “Shark of Messina,” who retired almost four years ago, looks back at a career that saw him conquer all three Grand Tours, the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and Vuelta a España, alongside a Milan-San Remo triumph.
His first professional win came two decades ago at the Coppi e Bartali race in Faenza, setting the stage for a storied career that places him among only seven cyclists to win all three Grand Tours.
The dramatic comeback of 2016
The 2016 Giro was far from straightforward for Nibali. He battled persistent allergies throughout the race, which significantly hampered his performance. “I was very stressed,” Nibali told Sportweek, reflecting on the immense pressure. “But this was also 15-20 days before the start, that year it was like that… I then loved and hated the Giro.
I loved it because it’s the Giro, I had grown up dreaming of that race, like everyone. I hated it because it seemed I had to win it by force, I raced with the burden of having to finish first. I felt people expected so much from me. Everyone, including you.”
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The turning point arrived on the treacherous Colle dell’Agnello stage. Race leader Steven Kruijswijk crashed dramatically in the snow, opening a sliver of opportunity. Crucially, Nibali’s teammate Michele Scarponi played a pivotal role, sacrificing his own stage-winning position to wait for Nibali, a moment that underscored the team’s commitment to their leader.
The relief after the Risoul stage was palpable for Nibali, who only fully grasped the magnitude of his position later. He describes this particular Giro triumph as “the one of confirmation. Different from all others.”
A legacy beyond the Giro
Since hanging up his cleats, Nibali has remained deeply involved in the cycling world. He is a partner with his long-time managers, Alex and Johnny Carera, at A&J. His influence also extends through ambassadorships with brands such as Crédit Agricole, Continental, Named Sport, and Ducati. In an ambitious venture, Nibali is collaborating with Ducati on designing a new, high-quality, entirely Italian bicycle.
Despite his retirement from professional racing, the passion for cycling endures; he still rides between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometers annually, balancing his commitments with family life, as a father to daughters Emma (12) and Miriam (two and a half).
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Pogačar rewriting the rules
The sport itself has evolved dramatically since Nibali’s prime, a shift he readily acknowledges when discussing current phenoms like Tadej Pogačar. “Ah, no. The Pogacar of today, no thanks,” Nibali stated, highlighting the Slovenian’s unique impact. “Tadej is rewriting the rules of the sport. He races against history more than against his contemporaries. He only lacks Roubaix, the Vuelta, and the Olympics, then he will have won everything.”
This perspective from a Grand Tour legend underscores the extraordinary dominance of the current generation. Looking ahead, Nibali also offered a brief thought on the future of the sport’s premier Italian race, telling Gazzetta.it that the “Giro 2026? Many novelties and pitfalls. It will be an interesting race.”
Sources: www.gazzetta.it
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