PROFESSIONALS | 06/14/2024 | 10.46am
Cesare “Cece” Benedetti has been part of the current Bora Hansgrohe since day one. He was one of the first riders selected for the new one Ralph Denk’s NetApp team in 2010. Cece has spent his entire professional career with the same team.
In August, the 36-year-old Trentino-Polish runner will end his running career: 15 seasons together is a prime example of the unique loyalty he is known for within the group. Benedetti is the most experienced rider in the BORA – hansgrohe team and has become “road captain” in recent years. May 23, 2019 will remain an unforgettable day for him: Benedetti, usually an important domestique in the team, was the center of attention that day and won the 12th stage of the Giro d’Italia in Pinerolo. The most important victory of a long career was achieved in a Grand Tour, in Italy to boot!
The following year Cesare became a Polish citizen and that is why the Tour de Pologne – his new home race – will be his last professional race.
«It seems like yesterday that I met Ralph Denk at the 2009 Mendrisio World Championships. We quickly reached an agreement and 15 years later I am proud to finish my cycling career with the same team. Today I can say it: I did something very special».
From professional to DS
As one phase of his career comes to an end, preparations for the next phase have already begun. Starting from 2025, Cesare Benedetti will become Sports Director of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. His focus will be on the rookie program with the newly formed U23 team. Before the new season, he will complete an internship program with the sports directors of the WorldTeam. In September and October he will go up to the flagship for some races in September and prepare for his new role.
«Now I am ready to face new challenges in a new role, but always in the same great project. After 25 years of waking up every day with the same sporting goals, I feel grateful and fortunate to be able to end my adventure as a professional athlete with new goals already in mind. I’m sure this is very important for my future and the next chapter of my life. There are still some big goals that I will share with the team as a rider for the rest of 2024, but I already feel very motivated to give my all in my new position to repay the team’s trust.”
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