The Wiggle-High5 veteran, who pulled out of the recent UCI Road World Championships in Doha, Qatar, due to illness, was convinced to place on hold a planned full-time post cycling move to the Italian Forestry Service by team boss Rochelle Gilmore and team-mate Elisa Longo Borghini.
“After the Olympic Games I had a talk with 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. 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.”
“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. I would like to be one of the main, experienced riders, and share my experience with the other riders. That’s for sure.”
Gilmore said that Bronzini's experience was important for the team as it cements itself as one of the best on the Women's WorldTour.
“It was my strongest desire to ensure Giorgia continued her involvement with Wiggle High5," Gilmore said. "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.
“The team’s success, in general, is very much owed to the passion and commitment Gio has put into this team over the past four years, she’s our team captain and highly respected by all athletes, staff and partners of the team.
“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.”
