Pozzovivo completes shock return to pro cycling at 43 years of age

Domenico Pozzovivo has sealed a shock return to the professional peloton after officially signing a contract with Italian ProTeam Solution Tech-Nippo-Rali following his retirement in 2024.

Pozzovivo could make his debut this month, with the team stating that the ambition is for the Italian to return to the Tour of the Alps (April 20-24), a race he won under its old banner of the Giro del Trentino back in 2012.

On making the move and a return to the peloton, Pozzovivo said: This decision comes from objective analysis of my condition. I am grateful to the team and will do my best to repay their trust with experience and competitiveness.”

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.

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.

Having a rider with the wealth of experience of Pozzovivo is seen as a boost by the team's CEO Mirko Ferro. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Pozzovivo,” said Parsani in the official statement. “From our first discussions we sensed clarity and a strong condition. He can be an important added value for the team.”

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.