Olympic gold medalist Davide Ghiotto (ITA) uses cycling as a key part of his off-season speed skating training routine. Ghiotto covers about 600-700 kilometers per week. "For me, it's not a job, it's not work, it's a pleasure to be outside on the bike," he explains. Ghiotto trains on the hilly roads around his hometown of Zovencedo near Vicenza, Italy, often together with his younger brother and speed skater Manuel Ghiotto (ITA), and a couple of professional cyclists.

Davide Ghiotto celebrates a victory during the Speed Skating Finals Men's Team Pursuit at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter games in Milan, Italy. © Getty Images

Different challenges

Two weeks after winning Olympic Team Pursuit gold for Italy at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Davide Ghiotto was back on the bike again.

"We have a big group of about eight to ten guys," Ghiotto says. "It's a pleasure to ride with those young guys and chat. They ask me about my Olympic experience and we talk about their cycling season. To me it's not so much training as it is fun."

The roads around Zovencedo offer a wide range of training possibilities. After an up-and-down 15-20 kilometer ride to Vicenza, there's a flat option going westwards, but when Ghiotto and his friends choose the eastbound route, they'll face more challenging and hilly terrain.

Giro d'Italia

Among Ghiotto's companions are professional cyclists Eduardo Zamperini (Cofidis), Alberto Bruttomesso (Bahrein-Victorious) and Tommaso Nencini (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali). 

"When I go on a ride with those guys, I know it's going to be a tough day because the level is very high, and they spend about six or seven hours on the bike. I like to stay with them, but sometimes I go for a shorter coffee ride and combine it with specific skating training in the gym or on the slide board."

As a sports aficionado, Ghiotto likes to follow the big cycling events. 

"For example next week, Nencini will race in the Tour of Japan. I'll definitely follow his results, and now that the Giro d'Italia is on, I watch the race on television of course."

Inline skating

Apart from cycling, Ghiotto also likes to train on inline skates. 

"Usually, I go inline skating once a week, when I join my former coaches and a group of young kids of about 12-14 years old," Ghiotto says.

"It's not a very tough training, but it's fun to skate with these kids and share my experiences on the roller skates with them."

At home with the kids

Being able to enjoy his training hours on the bike around his hometown is a privilege. 

"During the season, we're away from home a lot, so I enjoy being home these months. When I come home from my bike rides, I take care of the house and the children (4-year-old Filippo and 1-year-old Nicollo), while my girlfriend is working."

Cycling six days a week is part of Ghiotto’s routine before he begins his specific preparation for the new speed skating season under long-time Italy coach Maurizio Marchetto.

"For now it’s a great way to stay in shape, before Marchetto calls and we start a training camp, probably in June or early July," the Olympic champion explains.

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