Elia Viviani closed out his remarkable cycling career in style, winning gold in the elimination race at the Track Cycling World Championships in Santiago, Chile. The 36-year-old Italian, who had already announced his retirement at the end of the season, capped 16 years of professional racing with a dominant performance.

A three-time Olympic medalist — gold and bronze in the omnium and silver in the Madison at Paris 2024 — Viviani controlled the race from the front, staying alert to attacks from Dutchman Yoeri Havik, who finished third, and beating New Zealander Campbell Stewart to take the win.

This marks Viviani’s third world title in the event, following victories in Roubaix (2021) and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (2022). On the podium, he wore a white cape emblazoned with the words “The Last Dance – Il Profeta,” symbolizing a triumphant farewell.

“For the first time, I felt incredibly nervous today — it had never happened before,” Viviani admitted afterward. “Then I focused on the race. I have to thank the federation for allowing me to compete here. I finished as I dreamed. I couldn’t ask for more. Reaching this level and feeling it with my own hands — it’s phenomenal. Thank you to everyone, and to the entire cycling world.”