He is a renowned Italian sprinter who will leave the ranks of the professional peloton next year. Niccolo Bonifazio announced on his social networks Thursday evening that he would retire at the end of the year, at only 30 years old, after eleven seasons among the pros and a career that began with Lampre-Merida in 2014. Then passed through the teams Trek-Segafredo, Bahrain-Merida, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty and finally Team corratec – Vini Fantinithe native of Cuneo is best known in France for having played for four years within the team Total Direct Energy (later became TotalEnergies) of Jean-René Bernaudeau from 2019 to 2022. Sprinter with a small size and an atypical style, Boniface participated in two Tour de Francetwo Giroand accumulated 21 successes throughout his career, including two in the WorldTour on the Tour of Poland (2016) and especially on Paris-Nice in 2020.
Bonifazio’s latest success, on the Tour of Sicily 2023
“It’s time to explore new paths and seek new emotions”
The 5th of Milan-San Remo 2015who raised his arms for the last time on the Tour of Sicily 2023will therefore definitely hang up his bike in a few months at the end of a season during which he has not really shone for the moment – except at the end of January on the modest Sharjah Tour with a 2nd place, his only podium in 2024. Find his farewell message below.
“I think goodbye can be one of the worst moments in life, or it can be one of the most beautiful. […] As everything has a beginning, everything has an end. I thank the teams, sponsors, people and rivals I met in this crazy adventure who gave me the motivation to always try to surpass myself and improve. I am happy and satisfied with my results. 21 victories, 57 podiums, 142 top 10s. I achieved my childhood dreams. It’s time to explore new paths and seek new emotions. Thank you everyone for the support and encouragement in the streets.”
