The Italian rider ended her 17-year career on the final day of her home Grand Tour. The former world champion, who signed a one-year contract with UAE team ADQ last year, had vowed to retire after the Giro Donne.
Bastianelli's professional career began in 2006 with Safi-Pasta Zara-Manhattan, where her teammates included Australian Rochelle Gilmore and British cyclo-cross star Nicky Brammeier.
Her career got off to a tumultuous start when she tested positive for the banned appetite suppressant fenfluramine after winning the 2007 World Championships ahead of then 20-year-old Marianne Vos.
Since then, Bastianelli has returned to the sport, winning European road race titles, numerous women's World Tour victories, including the Tour of Flanders and Ronde van Drenthe, and the Italian national road race title.
Bastianelli, a respected member of the peloton, was ceremonially brought to the start line before stage 9 of the Giro Donne. He was also seen in conversation with race leader Annemiek van Fruten.
Bastianelli was "emotional" before his last race day as a professional.
"I feel very good. Very emotional. Today is a special day, I want to check my emotions, but that's impossible. For me this world is amazing and it is my life itself. I want to use my experience in this world to help young riders."
She also thanked her team, UAE Team ADQ, and her fans. Thank you guys," she said. The team has followed me this year and everyone has followed me this year."
She also thanked her team, UAE Team ADQ, and the fans for their support.
"Maybe we'll see each other again in the future," she hinted.
It remains to be seen if Bastianelli will remain in the sport, as retired female professionals like Anna van der Breggen and Jolien d'Hoor are increasingly choosing to do.
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