Elia Viviani: Back to La Vuelta with Lotto

Delirium defines the human being. We are not pragmatic creatures; we are driven by passion, by dreams. Why do we play chess, learn to play an instrument, spend hours dancing or cycling? The honest answer is simple: because it excites us, because it drives us, because it makes us feel alive.

Few figures in cycling embody this spirit as clearly as Elia Viviani. After a long and successful career, full of victories and the affection of fans who follow him wherever his team bus stops, it is neither logic nor numbers that explain why he keeps going. It is passion, and the certainty that there are still victories left in his legs.

Now, with Lotto, he is preparing to return to a Grand Tour for the first time since 2021. La Vuelta a España is the scene where Viviani wants to show that he remains a winning sprinter, while also taking on the role of mentor within a young team.

When he signed with Lotto, a bit late in the season, the plan revolved around a delicate balance: being a mentor for a very young squad and holding his own as a winner.

For Viviani, wearing Lotto’s colors is an honor. The team is living history in cycling, but also an investment in the future. He himself notices the generational contrast. “Today, riders go from junior to professional and are already ready to win. In my era, I felt I had a lot to learn. They master training and bike skills, but they still need to grow in everything surrounding the bike, what you do off it to perform better on it.”

His approach to the young riders is not born of arrogance, despite his impressive record book, but of empathy. “I’m one of the last to arrive to the team, so I want to earn their trust naturally.” That’s why he started by riding smaller races with the younger members, living alongside them, and forging bonds before stepping into the big events. The next step is La Vuelta.

His debut with Lotto wasn’t easy: he arrived in February, missing the winter training camp and the start of the season. The one-day races were tougher than expected, but as the stage races began, his legs started responding.
The key moment came in the Tour of Turkey. Winning stage 7 was more than a victory; it was a confirmation that everything was back in place, that he could still win.
From there, the season opened up: Poland, Hamburg and, above all, La Vuelta. Viviani is grateful to Lotto for believing in him when he needed it. “I was confident I could do it, and they believed it too.”

“There’s no easy Grand Tour,” he admits. “But starting in Italy is very important for me. I still remember my win in Madrid in 2018; it’s still one of my best memories.” Stages 1 and 21 are marked in gold on his calendar, along with a few other opportunities in between.

His strategy is clear: approach each targeted stage as if it were a one-day classic, fully concentrated like the sprinter who knows how to wait for the moment. Feeling the presence of Italian fans at the start will be an indescribable emotion.
He is also aware of the grind. “In every Grand Tour, there are days you want to quit. But you have to know how to suffer, leave the bad days behind and keep going.”

For a sprinter, the bike is an essential part of the battle. Viviani does not hide his enthusiasm for the equipment Lotto provides, with Orbea bikes and OQUO wheels.
“To be honest, it’s one of the fastest bikes I’ve ever used. When you join a team, the first thing you want to know is what bike you will be riding, because if it’s not competitive, winning becomes very difficult.” With the Orca Aero, he knows he has a bike that responds.

He describes the feeling in detail: “When I stand on the pedals or come out of a corner, the bike reacts immediately. At high speed, the Aero keeps the momentum. As you approach the finish line and see the sprint, it’s very important that the bike maintains that acceleration without extra effort. Then, when you decide it’s time and launch, you need the bike to be stiff and reactive so your speed jumps instantly.” The Orca Aero is impressive in an agonizing sprint finish.

He also tested the Orca in Poland. “It really makes a difference. On those stages with four or five thousand meters of climbing, I want this super-light bike with me to get over the mountains.”

Regarding wheels, his criteria are clear: responsiveness, stiffness and a perfect tubeless compatibility. “OQUO has worked hard on the rim dimensions, which is key for aerodynamics and rolling resistance. The new proprietary OQUO hub and the quality of the bearings also make a difference.”

Between the experience of a mentor and the ambition of a sprinter, Viviani faces La Vuelta with conviction that goes beyond statistics. His role is to guide, to inspire and to win. To add new chapters to an already magnificent career. Above all, Elia wants to keep chasing that dream that really makes it all worth it.
When he steps off the team bus on the first day in Italy, surrounded by his compatriots, Elia Viviani will once again feel that delirium that defines humanity: the passion of continuing to dream of victory.