Pozzovivo linked with shock return to pro cycling at 43 years of age

According to La Gazzetta, Pozzovivo could make his debut for the team at the Tour of the Alps (April 20-24), though Tuttobiciwebhas noted that the Italian already has a prior engagement that week. 

Already the holder of degrees in economics and sports science, Pozzovivo has been studying for a master’s degree over the past year, and Tuttobiciweb reports that the defence of his thesis is scheduled for April 20 in Rome.

La Gazzetta’s Ciro Scognamiglio reports that Pozzovivo is “very close” to resuming his pro career, though Solution Tech have yet to make any statement on the reported signing.

Pozzovivo spent 20 seasons in the professional peloton and in 2024, he equalled Vladimiro Panizza’s record of 18 participations in the Giro d’Italia. He placed fifth at the Giro in both 2014 and 2018, and he also won a stage of the corsa rosa at Lago Laceno in 2012.

A native of Basilicata, Pozzovivo first turned professional in 2005 with Bruno Reverberi’s Panaria team and he belatedly joined the WorldTour with AG2R in 2013. He would have spells at Bahrain, Qhubeka, Intermarché-Wanty and Israel Premier Tech before returning to his original squad for his final season.

Pozzovivo hung up his wheel after Il Lombardia in 2024, and he has since focused on his studies and a new career as a coach.

His clients are not limited to cycling. Pozzovivo has been coaching veteran race walker Alex Schwazer since he returned from a contentious doping ban last year. Last autumn, Pozzovivo and Schwazer appeared together at the Trento Festival of Sport to give a talk on competing as athletes beyond 40 years of age.

Now, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Pozzovivo will look to put that theory into practice by lining up at the Tour of the Alps, a race he won under its old banner of the Giro del Trentino back in 2012.