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Elia Viviani, the 36-year-old Italian sprinter and three-time Olympic medalist, has secured a one-year contract with Lotto Cycling Team in what appears to be a last-minute deal for the 2025 season. The announcement comes as Lotto is striving to regain its WorldTour status, with Viviani expressing his eagerness to continue competing at the highest level while also mentoring the team’s younger riders.
In a statement, Viviani shared his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “I’m very happy to extend my career with Lotto. First and foremost, I want to keep sprinting for victories, but I also want to share my experience with this young team. I’m ready to take on that role, giving my new teammates tips, whether they are sprinters or not, and helping them grow.”
Viviani, who has 89 professional road victories to his name, last won a race in 2023. Despite his age and recent focus on track cycling during the Olympics, he remains highly motivated to compete and win. He acknowledged the challenges he faced in securing a contract, saying, “After focusing on the Olympics and track cycling last summer, it wasn’t easy to find a team, as I hadn’t been able to prove myself on the road. But then [team manager] Stéphane Heulot heard about my situation, and suddenly, the puzzle pieces fell into place.”
The signing of Viviani is seen as a strategic move by Lotto, which is looking to bolster its roster with experienced riders who can contribute to UCI points and help secure a WorldTour license for the upcoming season. The team has been actively signing riders to strengthen its position, and Viviani’s addition is a significant step in that direction.
Viviani’s contract is part of a broader trend of veteran riders finding last-minute deals for the 2025 season. Notably, former Lotto sprinter Caleb Ewan recently signed with Ineos Grenadiers after a tumultuous transfer period left him without a team. However, several top riders remain without contracts as the 2025 season begins.
According to ProCyclingStats, nearly a dozen WorldTour riders are still searching for teams. Some, like Andrea Piccolo, who was dismissed from EF Education-EasyPost after being arrested for transporting growth hormone, face uncertain futures. Others have either announced their retirements or stepped away from professional racing.
The list of top-ranked men’s riders without contracts for 2025 includes Dmitry Geuzdev (Astana Kazan), Kenny Elissonde (Cofidis), Łukasz Wiśniowski (Bahrain-Victorious), Christophe Noppe (Cofidis), Jesús David Peña (Team Jayco AlUla), Michael Vink (UAE Team Emirates), Senne Leysen (Alpecin-DECEUNINCK), Maurice Ballerstedt (Alpecin-DECEUNINCK), Leo Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers), and Rudy Porter (Jayco AlUla).
The competitive nature of professional cycling, combined with the financial and logistical challenges of team management, has made it increasingly difficult for some riders to secure contracts. For Viviani, the deal with Lotto represents a new chapter in his career, one in which he aims to continue winning while playing a mentorship role within the team.
As Lotto Cycling Team looks to cement its return to the WorldTour, the addition of a seasoned sprinter like Viviani could prove to be a pivotal move in their strategy for success in the 2025 season.
