Vincenzo Nibali switches from two to four wheels

Vincenzo Nibali switches from two to four wheels

A champion of two wheels who is getting back into the game for the first time with the four-wheelers: to embellish the Monza Rally Show, scheduled at the’Autodromo Nazionale Monza, from 6 to’8 December 2024, there will also be Vincenzo Nibali at the wheel of a GR Yaris R1 T4X4 of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Italy team in collaboration with Visit Malta.

The 40-year-old Sicilian è is a legend of Italian cycling: in his 18-year career among professionals he has won all three grand tours, two Giri d’Italia (2013 and 2016), a Tour de France (2014) and a Vuelta (2010), as well as two historic classics (twice the Giro di Lombardia in 2015 and 2017 and a Milano-Sanremo in 2018).

"I have always dabbled with four-wheelers and now, that I have stopped racing, I cultivate this passion for sports driving. Hence the decision to participate in this new adventure, which is beautiful and particular, also physical because it is a car, the Toyota Yaris, which is very demanding, at least from what I have observed in the first tests. Monza then è a historic circuit, where I have often been a guest and that has always given great emotions. I am sure that ità also this year’s year", explained Nibali, during the press conference launching his participation that was held at the Milan headquarters of Automobile Club Milano (from which he obtained the license of competitor).

"For us at TGR Italy è a great satisfaction to be an integral part of such an important project. Bringing to rally debut a super champion like Vincenzo Nibali will be really exciting and doing it thanks to a partner d’eccellenza like VisitMalta fills us even more with pride. The exclusive context such as the Monza Rally Show will make the experience certainly special. For our part, we look forward to seeing Vincenzo in the Toyota GR Yaris in Cup" version, added Tobia Cavallini, team principal Toyota Gazoo Racing Italy.

The Monza Rally Show will startà Friday, Dec. 6 to end Sunday after 9 special stages, all on asphalt, and 154.38 timed kilometers. In the afternoon, on a 1.5-kilometer track, the challenges of the Masters’ Show, scheduled on the pit straight, which will also see the participation of the WRC cars: Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hybrid, Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid and Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid. The stars of the World Championship will put on a show for all three days at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.