Despite previously announcing her intention to retire after Saturday’s World Championships road race in Doha, Qatar, Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling’s Giorgia Bronzini has decided to spend another season racing in the black and orange colours. The two-time Road World Champion - who also has a third rainbow jersey from the Track - will start tomorrow’s race as one of the big favourites for a third title, in a race that is almost certain to finish in a sprint, but it is also her role as mentor to her teammates that influenced her decision the most.

“After the Olympic Games I had a talk with [Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling’s General Manager, Rochelle Gilmore], and she told me what the project for the team was for the next season. She asked if I was interested in this project and the team of next year.

“I had to check with the National Army,” explained Bronzini, who currently serves in the Italian Corpo Forestale. “There’s a bit of a situation because I’m going to swap my regiment, so the new army has approved my decision to stay with the team for another season.”

Bronzini’s season with Wiggle High5 saw her take a number of highly prestigious results, including victory in two stages of the Giro d’Italia, but the 33-year-old Italian takes more pleasure from the advice and experience, gained from many years at the front of the pro women’s peloton, that she can lend to her teammates in race situations.

“I also spoke to Elisa [Longo Borghini], and she said to me ‘please Giorgia do another season!’ because this year we had a lot of time to spend together, to work together, and that was really good,” Bronzini explained.

“So I decided to ride another season.

“I have a good feeling with this team, especially from the middle of the season to the end,” she added. “I would like to be one of the main, experienced riders, and share my experience with the other riders. That’s for sure.”

Gilmore is more than delighted that Bronzini, one of the riders that has been with the black and orange team since its inception as Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling in 2013, has decided to stay for another season. The Australian believes that, as well as being a rider to watch in Saturday’s likely sprint finish, Bronzini’s talents are also suited to the course in Bergen, Norway, next year.

“Encouraging Giorgia to delay her retirement was no hard task, especially with the World Championships in Norway at the end of 2017 really suiting her strengths.

“It was my strongest desire to ensure Giorgia continued her involvement with Wiggle High5, she is the heart and backbone of the team, on and off the bike. She’s a natural leader and her ability to make her teammates believe in themselves is amazing.”

As a constant in the colours of Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling, Bronzini’s experience has seen her enjoy some of her most successful seasons, but also help to bring out the potential in so many of her teammates. Along with her own WorldTour and World Cup success, the Italian’s presence in the team has been instrumental in victories like Longo Borghini’s in the 2015 Tour of Flanders, Jolien D’hoore’s in the Crescent Vårgårda road race - where she herself finished second - and even Longo Borghini’s Bronze Medal in the Olympic Games, where they both rode for the Italian National Team.

“The team’s success - in general - is very much owed to the passion and commitment Gio has put into this team over the past 4 years, she’s our team captain and highly respected by all athletes, staff and partners of the team,” Gilmore said.

“For those who have the privilege of intimately knowing Giorgia Bronzini know that she’s an incredibly amazing person, she is the epitome of professionalism and has a perfect perspective on life which positively influences a team environment.

“I’ve been extremely honoured to work with Gio throughout the later part of her career and wish her every success during her final 12 months as a world-class athlete.”