Life moves on, interests change, and after almost 9 years of blogging it's time to say goodbye. More than ever I'm an avid cyclist so there is less and less time to spend at the computer.
If you want to following Italian cycling news you can follow www.pinkjersey.com
Thanks for reading through the years.
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Friday, October 30, 2015
Beware of Fake Campagnolo Products
The following from Campagnolo:
Branded and top-end products often become benchmark products and, as such, highly desirable, to the extent that they are often copied, in this way fuelling the global forgery market.
The exclusiveness of the Campagnolo components and wheels together with their performance and technical characteristics have become so appetizing that FORGERS are cloning some of our products, flooding the international markets with huge quantities of them.
Campagnolo is therefore committed to ensuring the originality of the product and, above all, to guaranteeing the safety and welfare of the cyclist. The purchase of a forged product, in fact, not only prevents performance and experience on the bike, but jeopardizes the safety of the cyclist.
Below we give 6 simple rules to follow that allow customers to be sure they are purchasing an original Campagnolo product.
1. Buy from a Campagnolo store
When purchasing Campagnolo products, it is preferable to do so in a Campagnolo Pro-Shop or a Campy Code where not only the product, but also professionalism and competence are guaranteed.
2. Check the reliability of the seller
FORGERS mainly operate on line, via ecommerce websites and online auctions. In the case of online purchases, check the reliability of the website and/or the seller before buying.
3. Check the certificate
Our most forged products so far are Bora and Hyperon wheels. When buying these wheels, check that the rim bears a label with the Certilogo® Code.
4. Do not trust too extended a guarantee
Careful, forgers often offer extended guarantees, which clearly have no value. We remind you that the Campagnolo guarantee is valid for three years, worldwide.
5. Do not trust prices that are too low
A much lower sale price than that proposed on average by other market operators is the first signal that should set alarm bells ringing.
6. Let us know
Campagnolo combats forgery by collaborating with various international companies and agencies that have already seen to the elimination from several markets of forged product sales. Your role is fundamental. Let us know if you see adverts for forged products - this will help us to take more effective action.
BUY ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY! CAMPAGNOLO AGAINST FORGERY IN DEFENSE OF SAFETY
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Branded and top-end products often become benchmark products and, as such, highly desirable, to the extent that they are often copied, in this way fuelling the global forgery market.
The exclusiveness of the Campagnolo components and wheels together with their performance and technical characteristics have become so appetizing that FORGERS are cloning some of our products, flooding the international markets with huge quantities of them.
Campagnolo is therefore committed to ensuring the originality of the product and, above all, to guaranteeing the safety and welfare of the cyclist. The purchase of a forged product, in fact, not only prevents performance and experience on the bike, but jeopardizes the safety of the cyclist.
Below we give 6 simple rules to follow that allow customers to be sure they are purchasing an original Campagnolo product.
1. Buy from a Campagnolo store
When purchasing Campagnolo products, it is preferable to do so in a Campagnolo Pro-Shop or a Campy Code where not only the product, but also professionalism and competence are guaranteed.
2. Check the reliability of the seller
FORGERS mainly operate on line, via ecommerce websites and online auctions. In the case of online purchases, check the reliability of the website and/or the seller before buying.
3. Check the certificate
Our most forged products so far are Bora and Hyperon wheels. When buying these wheels, check that the rim bears a label with the Certilogo® Code.
4. Do not trust too extended a guarantee
Careful, forgers often offer extended guarantees, which clearly have no value. We remind you that the Campagnolo guarantee is valid for three years, worldwide.
5. Do not trust prices that are too low
A much lower sale price than that proposed on average by other market operators is the first signal that should set alarm bells ringing.
6. Let us know
Campagnolo combats forgery by collaborating with various international companies and agencies that have already seen to the elimination from several markets of forged product sales. Your role is fundamental. Let us know if you see adverts for forged products - this will help us to take more effective action.
BUY ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY! CAMPAGNOLO AGAINST FORGERY IN DEFENSE OF SAFETY
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Bianchi L'Eroica and Specialissima
Bianchi has a new bike that is ready to go for L'Eroica, the L'Eroica model:
If full celeste in carbon is more to your liking there is the Specialissima:
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon
contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides,
granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian
cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at
veronaman@gmail.com.
If full celeste in carbon is more to your liking there is the Specialissima:
Thursday, October 8, 2015
The Memorials of European Cycle Racing Legends
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Charles Eddie (September 23, 2015)
ISBN-10: 0993354408
ISBN-13: 978-0993354403
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Gran Fondo La Marmotta - Sestriere - Colle Delle Finestre
Were you impressed with the Colle Delle Finestre in this year's 20th stage of the Giro d'Italia? A major new event for Gran Fondo enthusiasts has been announced that will take place on 2 August: the first gran fondo “La Marmotta - Sestriere - Colle Delle Finestre“, organised by SSD RCS Active Team a r.l.
There are two routes, both starting at Cesana Torinese and finishing at Sestriere, and both crossing the mythical Colle delle Finestre, the highest point of the 2015 Giro d’Italia.
“La Marmotta - Sestriere - Colle Delle Finestre“ for the “Via Lattea” Trophy (110km)
Start: Cesana Torinese – Sauze di Cesana – Sestriere (2035 m) – Cesana Torinese – Oulx – Susa – Colle delle Finestre (Categorised climb 2176m) – Balboutet – Usseaux - Pragelato – Finish: Sestriere (Categorised climb 2035m).
The ascent of the Colle delle Finestre will be timed and a classification issued.
“La Marmottina” (tourist route, 85km)
Start: Cesana Torinese – Oulx – Susa – Colle delle Finestre (Categorised climb 2176m) – Balboutet – Usseaux – Pragelato – Finish: Sestriere (Categorised climb 2035m).
The ascent of the Colle delle Finestre will be timed, but no classification published.
Fabio Aru, winner of the penultimate stage, explains the secrets of the Colle delle Finestre climb:
"It could look strange but the easiest part of the Colle delle Finestre climb is the one on gravel roads. The hardest bit is the first one. In the first 4km there are 29 of the 45 total hairpins."
"The toughest inclines are faced in the first 1,500m of climbing. It's a very nice climb. The descent is not that difficult though. There are three bends in which you need to put more attention, first one to the left after 500m from the top."
"To face a climb like this at the Giro I was using 39 x 29 as the easiest gear ration. But I'm a professional rider and for us, easy to say, it's different. I think that an expert sportive rider could use a 34 in front, while a less expert rider should consider using 32."
"Anyone who rides with tubulars should think about using an anti-puncture liquid. The tire pressures should be half a bar less than usual both on front and back wheels. You need to adapt pedaling style too. If you're not used to riding a mountain bike it's better to choose the cleaner lines."
More details at www.gfsestriere.it
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
There are two routes, both starting at Cesana Torinese and finishing at Sestriere, and both crossing the mythical Colle delle Finestre, the highest point of the 2015 Giro d’Italia.
“La Marmotta - Sestriere - Colle Delle Finestre“ for the “Via Lattea” Trophy (110km)
Start: Cesana Torinese – Sauze di Cesana – Sestriere (2035 m) – Cesana Torinese – Oulx – Susa – Colle delle Finestre (Categorised climb 2176m) – Balboutet – Usseaux - Pragelato – Finish: Sestriere (Categorised climb 2035m).
The ascent of the Colle delle Finestre will be timed and a classification issued.
“La Marmottina” (tourist route, 85km)
Start: Cesana Torinese – Oulx – Susa – Colle delle Finestre (Categorised climb 2176m) – Balboutet – Usseaux – Pragelato – Finish: Sestriere (Categorised climb 2035m).
The ascent of the Colle delle Finestre will be timed, but no classification published.
Fabio Aru, winner of the penultimate stage, explains the secrets of the Colle delle Finestre climb:
"It could look strange but the easiest part of the Colle delle Finestre climb is the one on gravel roads. The hardest bit is the first one. In the first 4km there are 29 of the 45 total hairpins."
"The toughest inclines are faced in the first 1,500m of climbing. It's a very nice climb. The descent is not that difficult though. There are three bends in which you need to put more attention, first one to the left after 500m from the top."
"To face a climb like this at the Giro I was using 39 x 29 as the easiest gear ration. But I'm a professional rider and for us, easy to say, it's different. I think that an expert sportive rider could use a 34 in front, while a less expert rider should consider using 32."
"Anyone who rides with tubulars should think about using an anti-puncture liquid. The tire pressures should be half a bar less than usual both on front and back wheels. You need to adapt pedaling style too. If you're not used to riding a mountain bike it's better to choose the cleaner lines."
More details at www.gfsestriere.it
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Friday, June 26, 2015
2016 Giro d'Italia Start: Netherlands, 6 May
The Netherlands’ Province of Gelderland, will host the Giro d’Italia 2016 start, from 6 to 29 May, organized by RCS Sport / La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 99th edition of the Corsa Rosa will start for the 12th time from outside the Italian borders, it will be the third time from the land of tulips and windmills, following Groeningen in 2002 and Amsterdam in 2010.
THE 11 PREVIOUS FOREIGN STARTS OF THE GIRO D’ITALIA
1965 San Marino (General Classification winner: Vittorio Adorni); 1966 Monte Carlo – Monaco (Gianni Motta); 1973 Verviers – Belgium (Eddy Merckx); 1974 Vatican City (Eddy Merckx); 1996 Athens – Greece (Pavel Tonkov); 1998 Nice – France (Marco Pantani); 2002 Groeningen – The Netherlands (Paolo Savoldelli); 2006 Seraing – Belgium (Ivan Basso); 2010 Amsterdam – The Netherlands (Ivan Basso); 2012 Herning – Denmark (Ryder Hesjedal); 2014 Belfast – Northern Ireland (Nairo Quintana).
START ON FRIDAY 6 MAY
Thanks to the concession of the Union Cycliste Internationale to allow the long transfer from the Netherlands, the Giro will have an extra rest day on Monday 9 May, when the Carovana Rosa will return to Italy straight to the southern part of the country. The stages:
Stage 1, Friday 6 May – The first stage, an 8.1km Individual Time Trial, will go through Apeldoorn, finishing in the city.
Stage 2, Saturday 7 May – 180km stage for the fastest wheels in the peloton, starting from Arnhem and finishing in Nijmegen.
Stage 3, Sunday 8 May – The third stage, which is expected to be a bunch sprint, will start from Nijmegen and end in Arnhem after 190km.
Rest Day, Monday 9 May – Rest day and transfer to Italy.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
THE 11 PREVIOUS FOREIGN STARTS OF THE GIRO D’ITALIA
1965 San Marino (General Classification winner: Vittorio Adorni); 1966 Monte Carlo – Monaco (Gianni Motta); 1973 Verviers – Belgium (Eddy Merckx); 1974 Vatican City (Eddy Merckx); 1996 Athens – Greece (Pavel Tonkov); 1998 Nice – France (Marco Pantani); 2002 Groeningen – The Netherlands (Paolo Savoldelli); 2006 Seraing – Belgium (Ivan Basso); 2010 Amsterdam – The Netherlands (Ivan Basso); 2012 Herning – Denmark (Ryder Hesjedal); 2014 Belfast – Northern Ireland (Nairo Quintana).
START ON FRIDAY 6 MAY
Thanks to the concession of the Union Cycliste Internationale to allow the long transfer from the Netherlands, the Giro will have an extra rest day on Monday 9 May, when the Carovana Rosa will return to Italy straight to the southern part of the country. The stages:
Stage 1, Friday 6 May – The first stage, an 8.1km Individual Time Trial, will go through Apeldoorn, finishing in the city.
Stage 2, Saturday 7 May – 180km stage for the fastest wheels in the peloton, starting from Arnhem and finishing in Nijmegen.
Stage 3, Sunday 8 May – The third stage, which is expected to be a bunch sprint, will start from Nijmegen and end in Arnhem after 190km.
Rest Day, Monday 9 May – Rest day and transfer to Italy.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
From Wool to Carbon: Santini Celbrates 50 Years
Yesterday Santini (Santini Maglificio Sportivo, "SMS")celebrated its 50th anniversary; 50th anniversary video above.
This is how Santini sees the history, from their beginnings, of product development in cycling apparel:
THE 60’s/70’s – WOOL AND EMBROIDERY - Until the mid seventies cycling clothing was little different to the apparel used in the pre-war period, items worn by champions such as Coppi and Bartali. In this period the standard textile of choice were wool blends, (50% wool and 50% acrylic). Both the shorts and jerseys were developed using these materials. The application of these textiles, obviously had numerous limits; seventies wool was not a perfect match for the sport clothing sector, was complicated to work with and not a perfectly hygienic solution.
The textiles were usually supplied only in solid colours and creative elaboration was limited to very basic geometric inserts of alternative dyed wool fabric. Add to that the complication and cost of the manufacturing process and you had a product that was genuinely time consuming and difficult to make. Additionally up until this point the jerseys still came with shirt style collars and buttoned pockets both front and back. At that time too, the shorts (also made from a wool blend fabric) were not provided with braces and came supplied with a chamois made from real leather - to maintain the flexibility of the chamois, especially after washing and drying, it was necessary to constantly treat it with emollient in order to soften it.
But the real difficulty was related to the customisation of jerseys adding sponsors names and logos - the text and graphics were embroidered directly onto the garments by skilled workers. Generally speaking, one worker could only finish a maximum of four or five jerseys in one day. As an attempt to speed up the application of logos and text, at times letters and images were cut out from separate fabric pieces and sewn onto the garments.
THE 70’s/80’s – “SILK” AND ZIPS - With the arrival of synthetic fabrics like acrylic and other ‘silk-like’ textiles in the mid-70’s, it was the beginning of the end for use of wool fabrics in cycling apparel production. A new era was starting which promised must faster productions times and a higher output capacity of product. The production process became more streamlined and automated, leading to an overall better regulation of quality. As such Santini placed itself at the avant-garde of these change and embraced the future; the choice of fabric colours grew and button closures on apparel made way for the zip. However still, in some cases sponsor’s names and logos were still embroidered on the garments. Furthermore it became common for shorts to be developed using interlocked synthetic fabrics better styled and designed to a rider’s needs and often packaged more attractively.
THE 80’s/90’s – THE SYNTHETIC CHAMOIS AND FLOCKING - In the eighties the use of the leather chamois for bib shorts fell out of popularity, not least because it was deemed not acceptable to actually hunt the Chamois deer for the use of its hide in apparel production. So experimentation began on finding new diverse materials to replace it, often these synthetic fabrics were worked on to promote softness and in some instances materials like rubber were used as inserts in the products. The most notable advancements in textile production saw the introduction of the Lycra yarn into various polyester materials - enabling an incredible degree of elasticity in fabrics that previously had not been achievable.
Professional cycling saw a huge increase in popularity, an increasing amount of companies used the sport as a means to promote themselves. This often meant accurately reproducing specific colours and logos, which before, when applied by hand to garments, resulted in a time consuming process. So towards the end of the 80’s a new and more rapid solution is born: flocking. A process whereby many small fibre particles are applied to the surface of the garment and bonded in place with a special hot adhesive in the shape design of the required logo or sentence of text. The final result produced a velvety finish to the graphic that looked good but was very intolerant to washing and general wear. As such, at the same time screen printed graphics were an alternative mode of reproducing logos and images on apparel - a process whereby insoluble ink is directly applied onto the actual item.
THE 90’S – POLYESTER FABRICS AND THE GEL CHAMOIS - The 1990’s saw a true revolution in cycling apparel; with Santini introducing new textile trends and methods of production to the cycling world. Years of development in the textile industry saw the launch of new, highly advanced polyester fabrics that were resistant to very high temperatures; paving the way for high quality sublimation printing on sportswear - a process were ink is diffused into the actual yarn of the fabric at temperatures greater than 200 degrees, which from a design standpoint enabled total customisation of the apparel, rapidly increasing produc tion time while also reducing costs. Meanwhile other advancements in textile manufacturing saw fabrics become more aerodynamic and much greater attention was put on the actual construction of the apparel. Bib short design became far more advanced not least in the development of the chamois - a variant with gel inserts was launched at this point, helping to absorb variations and improving comfort in the saddle.
THE 2000’S, HYBRID FIBRES AND NANO TECHNOLOGY - Research into new polyester textiles greatly progressed, combining other exotic materials into specially made yarns, such as carbon fibre strands, to create lighter, more durable and comfortable fabrics while stile controlling the percentage of polyester to preserve colour fastness. Huge developments in the realm of cutting and seeing were introduced to accomodate these new advanced materials - some of which were manufactured with specific textured surfaces to promote aerodynamic efficiency or other various fabrics that incorporated elements of high visibility while cycling in low light conditions. In some of the very last collections from this period certain fabrics were developed using nano-technology - creating apparel with antiallergic, anti-UV, water resistant and cooling or heating properties such as the Acquazero, BeCool and BeHot ranges of garments. Certainly this period saw Santini drive forward to accommodate the high technical demands of the modern cyclist.
THE EVOLUTION GOES ON
Even after 50 years of evolution side by side with cycling the research hasn't stopped; today Santini produce more than 3,000 pieces per day, exporting 80% of this production outside of Italy. The company is investing constantly in research for techniques and innovative developments in collaboration with world-class athletes, constantly striving to improve its range of clothing in order dress the cyclists of the future.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Under Sparkling Stars with Moser 51.151, June 12
If you are going to be near Trento on June 12th you might want to make a reservation for an evening at Francesco Moser's Maso Villa Warth for a tasting of Trentodoc 51.151, food (tortel con carne salada and tortel con marmellata) and music. email info@cantinemoser.com for reservations. 51.151 is a spumante.
In January 1984, Francesco Moser set a new hour record of 51.151 km (31.784 mi).
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
How It Works: Pinarello K8-S Suspension
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Colle delle Finestre
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| Photo: Jered Gruber |
The Finestre, with its 8km of dirt road, was first used in the Giro in 2005.
A must read, in words and images, of Saturday's stage is Jered and Ashley Gruber's "Race Day: Finestre".
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Alberto Contador Wins the 98th Edition of the Giro d'Italia
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) has won the 2015 Giro d'Italia, although the final stage was as drama-filled and unpredictable as the previous three weeks of racing. Contador finished safely in the peloton at the end of the final stage, Torino - Milano (178 km).
In GC Fabio Aru finished 1'53" behind Contador, with his team-mate, Mikel Landa, third at 3'05". The fourth-placed rider overall was the Costa Rican, Andrey Amador, whose time was more than eight minutes adrift of Contador.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION (TOP FIVE)
1 - Alberto Contador (TINKOFF SAXO)
2 - Fabio Aru (ASTANA PRO TEAM) at 1’53”
3 - Mikel Landa (ASTANA PRO TEAM) at 3’05”
4 - Andrey Amador (MOVISTAR TEAM) at 8’10”
5 - Ryder Hesjedal (TEAM CANNONDALE - GARMIN) a 9’52”
JERSEYS
MAGLIA ROSA – BALOCCO – Alberto Contador (TINKOFF SAXO)
MAGLIA ROSSA – ALGIDA – Giacomo Nizzolo (TREK FACTORY RACING)
MAGLIA AZZURRA – BANCA MEDIOLANUM – Giovanni Visconti (MOVISTAR TEAM)
MAGLIA BIANCA – EUROSPIN – Fabio Aru (ASTANA PRO TEAM)
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), 2015 Giro d'Italia champion
Q: How did this Giro d'Italia differ from the other two?
A: My preparation for this Giro d'Italia was optimal. In 2008 I came at the last minute, and I didn't know the race, or how I'd be received, or what the climbs were like. In 2011, I prepared conscientiously, but only after a very intense start to the season. This time, by contrast, I raced in the start of the season, but it's also true that it is the first part of an objective that I've set myself, and for that reason, perhaps, I'm calmer or more reflective while I am racing.
Q: Did you make any errors that you feel you must not repeat at the Tour?
A: No, I don't think so. Perhaps I see it like this: there were days when I could have been more ambitious. I decided to to ride more tactically, and I think it was the right thing to do, in the end, because look at yesterday: I had a bad day because my strength was declining. No, there is nothing I think that I could improve on for the Tour. Perhaps my main memory of the Giro is the leg pain with which I finished the race, and the tired body.
Q: What will you do now?
A: My Tour de France starts now. My preparation starts now. Tonight, to the extent to which it is possible, I'll go and rest as early as possible. Tomorrow I want to go to Spain. I want to take three or four days before I start concentrating again on the Tour, in complete isolation. So tomorrow I'm looking forward to a nice day.
THE GIRO IN NUMBERS
Here’s the story of the 98th edition, in numbers:
35 – business partners who have contributed to the success of the Giro, showing their brands on this edition of the Corsa Rosa
50 – vehicles in the Giro d’Italia caravan
98 – the editions of the Corsa Rosa
163 – riders who finished the Giro d’Italia in 2015
171 – countries in which the Giro was broadcast daily
201 – the bib number of Alberto Contador, winner of the Giro d’Italia
1,067 – the number of media credited for the event
1,750 – the number of vehicles credited for the event
3,501 – the Corsa Rosa race distance in kilometers
33,000 – the number of passes released, representing 62 countries in the five continents
350,000 – followers on Twitter
680,000 – Facebook fans on the official page
3,440,000 – page views (daily average) on the official Giro d’Italia site and the Giro App combined
3,500,000 – the average number of viewers that host broadcaster RAI had during the last hour of race in the Sestriere stage with the Colle delle Finestre climb
Tsgabu Grmay, Team Lampre-Merida, was the first black African cyclist ever to complete the Giro d'Italia.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Best Private Bicycle Collection?
More than 600 track and road bikes, more photos and the story here. It's fun looking through all the photos and trying to identify all the brands, how the bikes are built up, etc. It's amazing.
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| A roomful of Colnagos |
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| A rare, complete, Bianchi C4 |
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Campagnolo, the revolution continues
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
DIVO bikes from Verona
DIVO bikes designed by Pietro Caucchioli from FilMotion // Luca Carton on Vimeo.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
2015 Giro d'Italia Jerseys
For the last 20 years Santini Maglificio Sportivo, this year celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, has developed the jerseys for the Giro d’Italia, guaranteeing that all the apparel of the Corsa Rosa continues to have a true Italian soul.
This year the jerseys were designed by Lebole, a menswear fashion brand synonymous with elegance and Italian style, whilst being produced by Santini.
This year sponsorship of the four classification jerseys are as follows - the Pink Jersey, distinguishing the overall leader, is sponsored Balocco; the Blue Jersey, denoting the leader of the mountains classification is sponsored by Banca Mediolanum; the Red Jersey denoting the leader of the points classification is sponsored by Algida and the White Jersey reserved for the best young rider under 25 is sponsored Eurospin.
Aside from all four classification jerseys, Santini has created a special capsule collection of jerseys dedicated the Giro d’Italia. This collection features one very special garment: the legendary Maglia Nera - Black Jersey.
There was a time in the history of the Giro d’Italia when the competition to finish first was not the only prize on offer. The honor and glory justly reserved for the race winner was at one point curiously also handed out to the race loser. The rider who obtained this “reverse” result was granted the honor of wearing the Black Jersey; an award that was instituted in 1946 and continued until 1951 (Giovanni Pinarello won it in 1951). Within its short lived existence the race for the Black Jersey provided countless surprising and often charming strategies to obtain this prize. It was commonplace for riders to fake punctures, contrive mechanical problems and employ various other underhanded strategies designed to enable them to cross the finish line last. The blurred line between truth and legend doesn’t matter, what is certain is that the Maglia Nera will always remain a true symbol of cycling history. An era that Santini wanted to honor by creating a version of the Black Jersey for all fans of cycling.
In addition to the legendary Black Jersey Santini wanted to include in its new capsule collection a series of jerseys that paid homage to specific stages of the 2015 Giro d’Italia; basing the designs of these four unique garments around the history and landscapes associated with these special stages of the 2015 race.
In the first stage from LORENZO AL MARE to SANREMO, riders will be faced with a very challenging team time trial - running along 17.6 km of beautiful Ligurian coastline from San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo. As such Santini has devoted a jersey specifically to this stage, referencing the colors of the sea while celebrating the unique and inimitable Italian Riviera.
The first uphill finish of the 2015 Giro, stage five from LA SPEZIA to ABETONE, will see the athletes tackling 17.3km of climbing, the last part of which will see them face a finish into town of Abetone, sitting at a height of 928 meters above sea level. The jersey commemorating the finish into Abetone not only references the beautiful mountain landscape but also notes the town’s relationship to Giacomo Puccini, the famous Italian composer who in 1903 whilst living in the area wrote a large portion of his masterpiece Madame Butterfly; referenced on the jersey by the red butterfly and subtle tree pattern.
The third jersey celebrates the return after 23 years of a Giro stage into Imola, centred on the truly prestigious venue of the Autodromo Ferrari. Stage eleven from FORLÌ to IMOLA will not be easy; before entering the velodrome the riders will have to negotiate the same roads as used for the 1968 World Championships won by Vittorio Adorni. The flame red jersey that celebrates this stage exudes references to true Italian style and speed, perfectly capturing the essence of the Giro d’Italia.
Finally, the fourth jersey, is dedicated to stage fourteen, TREVISO to VALDOBBIADENE - the punishing individual time trial that covers 59.2km in total. The setting of this stage will leave you breathless. A combination of flat and hilly sections that wind through the vineyards of the beloved Prosecco landscape; a true symbol of Italian identity worthy of being celebrated. Therefore, the jersey dedicated to this stage plays on the colors associated with a bottle of Prosecco.
For more information please visit: www.santinisms.it/giro15
After a rest day yesterday the Giro resumes today with Stage 10, Civitanova Marche - Forlì, 200 flat kilometers. The race jersey holders at the start:
MAGLIA ROSA – BALOCCO – Alberto Contador (TINKOFF SAXO)
MAGLIA ROSSA – ALGIDA – Elia Viviani (TEAM SKY)
MAGLIA AZZURRA – BANCA MEDIOLANUM – Simon Geschke (TEAM GIANT - ALPECIN)
MAGLIA BIANCA – EUROSPIN – Fabio Aru (ASTANA PRO TEAM)
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Passo dello Stelvio Events
Several events are on the 2015 calendar which involve the Passo dello Stevlio, from the Granfondo Stelvio Santini (7 June) to the Scalata Cima Coppi (29 August):
1. Granfondo Stelvio Santini, 7 June
2. Passo dello Stelvio/Golazo, 11-13 June
3. Re Stelvio Mapei 2015, 12 July
Valtellina Extreme Brevet 2014 Slideshow from KY on Vimeo.
4. Valtellina Extrême Brevet, 20-21 June
5. Stelvio Challenge, 26 June
6. Scalata Cima Coppi, 29 August
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Ride with Miguel Indurain June 22-26 in the Dolomites
As part of inGamba's partnership with Pinarello and Hotel La Perla, inGamba is offering an exclusive opportunity to ride with Miguel Indurain this summer June 22-26, surrounded by the splendor of the Dolomites.
The package Includes:
• Miguel Indurain (5-time Tour de France Winner) led daily ride
• Pinarello Dogma F8 bike with Shimano Di2 and Zipp wheels
• A professional mechanic to fine tune and wash your bike daily
• Team car support on rides with mechanic
• Professional cycling soigneur for post ride massages
• Daily prepared ride food including energy drinks, bars and gels
• Garmin 810 with pre-downloaded routes or files for your GPS
• Pocket size ride map with daily ride and elevation profile
• Recovery drink and light lunch upon return to Pinarello Dogma lounge
• A Giordana FR-C Cycling kit with jersey and bib shorts
• Daily wash & fold service for your riding kit
You can find out more about this unforgettable experience here.
email: hello@ingamba.pro
web: www.ingamba.pro
 | ||
| La Perla in Corvara |
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon
contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides,
granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian
cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at
veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Get Ready for the 2015 Giro d'Italia!
The 98th Giro d’Italia, organized by RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport, begins on Saturday, 9 May and lasts until 31 May, 2015.
The philosophy behind the race route is balance, in line with recent years, with fewer transfers and an approach geared up for modern cycling. In summary: 1 team time trial, 1 individual time trial, 5 high mountain stages, 7 flatter stages and 7 medium mountain stages. Tthe 2015 Giro starts near Sanremo in Riviera dei Fiori (Liguria) and finishes in Milan.
THE 98TH GIRO D’ITALIA IN NUMBERS
1 – National border crossing (Switzerland)
2 – Rest Days (Monday 18 May, Monday 25 May)
4 – Giro race starts in Liguria (Genoa 1980, 1992, 2004; Sanremo 1987)
5 – Mountain stages (Fiuggi-Campitello Matese, Marostica-Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo-Aprica, Gravellona Toce-Cervinia, Saint Vincent-Sestriere)
7 – Sprint stages (Albenga-Genova, Montecatini Terme-Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto-Fiuggi, Civitanova Marche-Forlì, Montecchio Maggiore-Jesolo, Tirano-Lugano, Turin-Milan);
7 – Medium mountain stages (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Chiavari-La Spezia, La Spezia-Abetone, Benevento-San Giorgio del Sannio, Forlì-Imola (Enzo & Dino Ferrari Autodrome), Imola-Vicenza (Monte Berico), Melide-Verbania)
7 – Uphill finishes (Abetone, Campitello Matese, Vicenza (Monte Berico), Madonna di Campiglio, Aprica, Cervinia, Sestriere)
29 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by non-Italians
68 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by Italians
76.8 – Kilometres of time trials (17.6 km “Riviera dei Fiori” team time trial, 59,2 individual time trial Treviso - Valdobbiadene)
136 – Length of the two shortest road stages in kilometers (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Tirano-Lugano)
152 – Kilometers in the stage dedicated to Gino Bartali, La Spezia – Abetone
263 – Kilometers in the longest stage (Grosseto – Fiuggi)
1,854 – the altitude, in meters, of the Mortirolo, the Montagna Pantani in the 2015 Giro
2,178 – the altitude, in meters, of the Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi in the 2015 Giro
3,481.8 - the total length of the Giro, in kilometers
43,000 – vertical meters climbed during the 2015 Giro
TELEVISION COVERAGE
The Giro will be televised around the world in 171 countries.
Italy
Long-standing host broadcaster Rai (Radio Televisione Italiana) will dedicate many hours of airtime to the Giro d’Italia, starting with three hours of live programming for every stage.
Rai’s live coverage will be in three parts: “Anteprima Giro” on RaiSport Uno from 14:00 to 15:10 CEST, “Giro in Diretta” on RaiTre and Rai HD between 15:10 and 16:15, and, for the final hour of racing, “Giro all’arrivo” until 17:10. Post-stage commentary and analysis follows in the traditional “Processo alla Tappa,” finishing at 18:00.
90 minutes of edited highlights from each stage will be shown at 22:45 on RaiSport Due, at 06:00 hours the following morning on RaiSport Uno and again at 08:00 on RaiSport Due.
Most days, Rai’s coverage of the forthcoming stage will start with “Giro Mattina”, an hour and a half of live programming from the start village which includes a feature portraying the places of touristic and cultural interest along the race route of the day, and the stage start.
Finally, RaiSport Uno will end the day with two programmes: “TGiro” at 20:00 and “Giro Notte” at 00:30 hours.
In addition, the Corsa Rosa will be streamed live via the internet at www.rai.tv.
Worldwide
The Giro d’Italia will be shown live in 52 territories throughout Europe, Italy included, starting at 14.15 (all times CEST), with live links, on-site interviews and race commentary in 19 languages. In the Old World, the race will also be shown subscription-free in Belgium on the Flemish language channel VRT, in Denmark on TV2, in Spain on TVE, in Switzerland via SRG SSR, in the Netherlands on NOS.
Televisa Deportes Network will show the Giro d’Italia in Mexico and five other Central American nations. ESPN Sur will serve Spanish-speaking South America, working in tandem with its sister channel ESPN Brasil. Canada will be served in English by Sportsnet and in French by RDS.
beIN SPORTS has exclusive TV rights to the Giro d’Italia in France, the United States of America, and the Middle East and North Africa, with SuperSport serving fans in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In Asia, Eurosport Asia-Pacific will broadcast the Giro d’Italia in 16 territories. J Sports will serve Japan, LeTV will cover the Corsa Rosa in China, while SonyTV will show race highlights in India and seven other nations. TrueVisions will show the race in Thailand and FPT Telecom will do the same in Vietnam.
The Australian public service broadcaster SBS will broadcast all 21 stages live. Fox Sports will show highlights in Australia, while Sky New Zealand will broadcast the race live for viewers on the other side of the Tasman Sea.
News footage of the Corsa Rosa will be distributed by SNTV (Sports News Television) and Sport24, the 24-hour sports channel for aircraft and cruise ship passengers.
ON-BIKE FOOTAGE AT THIS YEAR'S GIRO
RCS Sport and the Velon group of WorldTour teams today announced an agreement according to which Velon will deliver on-bike footage at this year's Giro d’Italia.
Footage will be recorded for RCS Sport in eight of the Giro d’Italia’s 21 stages: the team time trial on stage 1, stage 2, a possible sprint finish, the hill stages 4, 9, 12, and 15, and the mountain stages 16 - the Queen Stage, with the forbidding Mortirolo - and 20, with the spectacular Colle delle Finestre.
Velon consists of roughly two thirds of the 17 WorldTour teams. All 11 member teams will be at the Giro d’Italia: BMC Racing Team, Etixx - Quick-Step, Lampre - Merida, Lotto Soudal, Orica GreenEDGE, Team Cannondale - Garmin, Team Giant - Alpecin, Team Lotto NL - Jumbo, Team Sky, Tinkoff - Saxo and Trek Factory Racing.
The teams carrying cameras on each stage will be announced throughout the race.
The agreement allows on-board camera footage to be shown during Giro d'Italia TV coverage and on the event website, digital media sites and social media profiles. The Velon teams may show race highlights on their websites and digital media channels, with images also appearing on the organisation website velon.cc.
RCS Sport's Giro d’Italia Director, Mauro Vegni, said: “It has always been important for us to bring fans close to the action and new technologies are making it possible to bring them into the peloton and show the Giro d’Italia, the hardest race in the world's most beautiful place, in a whole new perspective to fans all around the world.”
Graham Bartlett, CEO of Velon said: “RCS Sport have really got behind this project and we’re delighted to work with them on such an important race. The eight stages chosen will give a great insight into what it takes to win both stages and jerseys in a Grand Tour and we can’t wait to see the results.”
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
The philosophy behind the race route is balance, in line with recent years, with fewer transfers and an approach geared up for modern cycling. In summary: 1 team time trial, 1 individual time trial, 5 high mountain stages, 7 flatter stages and 7 medium mountain stages. Tthe 2015 Giro starts near Sanremo in Riviera dei Fiori (Liguria) and finishes in Milan.
THE 98TH GIRO D’ITALIA IN NUMBERS
1 – National border crossing (Switzerland)
2 – Rest Days (Monday 18 May, Monday 25 May)
4 – Giro race starts in Liguria (Genoa 1980, 1992, 2004; Sanremo 1987)
5 – Mountain stages (Fiuggi-Campitello Matese, Marostica-Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo-Aprica, Gravellona Toce-Cervinia, Saint Vincent-Sestriere)
7 – Sprint stages (Albenga-Genova, Montecatini Terme-Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto-Fiuggi, Civitanova Marche-Forlì, Montecchio Maggiore-Jesolo, Tirano-Lugano, Turin-Milan);
7 – Medium mountain stages (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Chiavari-La Spezia, La Spezia-Abetone, Benevento-San Giorgio del Sannio, Forlì-Imola (Enzo & Dino Ferrari Autodrome), Imola-Vicenza (Monte Berico), Melide-Verbania)
7 – Uphill finishes (Abetone, Campitello Matese, Vicenza (Monte Berico), Madonna di Campiglio, Aprica, Cervinia, Sestriere)
29 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by non-Italians
68 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by Italians
76.8 – Kilometres of time trials (17.6 km “Riviera dei Fiori” team time trial, 59,2 individual time trial Treviso - Valdobbiadene)
136 – Length of the two shortest road stages in kilometers (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Tirano-Lugano)
152 – Kilometers in the stage dedicated to Gino Bartali, La Spezia – Abetone
263 – Kilometers in the longest stage (Grosseto – Fiuggi)
1,854 – the altitude, in meters, of the Mortirolo, the Montagna Pantani in the 2015 Giro
2,178 – the altitude, in meters, of the Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi in the 2015 Giro
3,481.8 - the total length of the Giro, in kilometers
43,000 – vertical meters climbed during the 2015 Giro
TELEVISION COVERAGE
The Giro will be televised around the world in 171 countries.
Italy
Long-standing host broadcaster Rai (Radio Televisione Italiana) will dedicate many hours of airtime to the Giro d’Italia, starting with three hours of live programming for every stage.
Rai’s live coverage will be in three parts: “Anteprima Giro” on RaiSport Uno from 14:00 to 15:10 CEST, “Giro in Diretta” on RaiTre and Rai HD between 15:10 and 16:15, and, for the final hour of racing, “Giro all’arrivo” until 17:10. Post-stage commentary and analysis follows in the traditional “Processo alla Tappa,” finishing at 18:00.
90 minutes of edited highlights from each stage will be shown at 22:45 on RaiSport Due, at 06:00 hours the following morning on RaiSport Uno and again at 08:00 on RaiSport Due.
Most days, Rai’s coverage of the forthcoming stage will start with “Giro Mattina”, an hour and a half of live programming from the start village which includes a feature portraying the places of touristic and cultural interest along the race route of the day, and the stage start.
Finally, RaiSport Uno will end the day with two programmes: “TGiro” at 20:00 and “Giro Notte” at 00:30 hours.
In addition, the Corsa Rosa will be streamed live via the internet at www.rai.tv.
Worldwide
The Giro d’Italia will be shown live in 52 territories throughout Europe, Italy included, starting at 14.15 (all times CEST), with live links, on-site interviews and race commentary in 19 languages. In the Old World, the race will also be shown subscription-free in Belgium on the Flemish language channel VRT, in Denmark on TV2, in Spain on TVE, in Switzerland via SRG SSR, in the Netherlands on NOS.
Televisa Deportes Network will show the Giro d’Italia in Mexico and five other Central American nations. ESPN Sur will serve Spanish-speaking South America, working in tandem with its sister channel ESPN Brasil. Canada will be served in English by Sportsnet and in French by RDS.
beIN SPORTS has exclusive TV rights to the Giro d’Italia in France, the United States of America, and the Middle East and North Africa, with SuperSport serving fans in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In Asia, Eurosport Asia-Pacific will broadcast the Giro d’Italia in 16 territories. J Sports will serve Japan, LeTV will cover the Corsa Rosa in China, while SonyTV will show race highlights in India and seven other nations. TrueVisions will show the race in Thailand and FPT Telecom will do the same in Vietnam.
The Australian public service broadcaster SBS will broadcast all 21 stages live. Fox Sports will show highlights in Australia, while Sky New Zealand will broadcast the race live for viewers on the other side of the Tasman Sea.
News footage of the Corsa Rosa will be distributed by SNTV (Sports News Television) and Sport24, the 24-hour sports channel for aircraft and cruise ship passengers.
ON-BIKE FOOTAGE AT THIS YEAR'S GIRO
RCS Sport and the Velon group of WorldTour teams today announced an agreement according to which Velon will deliver on-bike footage at this year's Giro d’Italia.
Footage will be recorded for RCS Sport in eight of the Giro d’Italia’s 21 stages: the team time trial on stage 1, stage 2, a possible sprint finish, the hill stages 4, 9, 12, and 15, and the mountain stages 16 - the Queen Stage, with the forbidding Mortirolo - and 20, with the spectacular Colle delle Finestre.
Velon consists of roughly two thirds of the 17 WorldTour teams. All 11 member teams will be at the Giro d’Italia: BMC Racing Team, Etixx - Quick-Step, Lampre - Merida, Lotto Soudal, Orica GreenEDGE, Team Cannondale - Garmin, Team Giant - Alpecin, Team Lotto NL - Jumbo, Team Sky, Tinkoff - Saxo and Trek Factory Racing.
The teams carrying cameras on each stage will be announced throughout the race.
The agreement allows on-board camera footage to be shown during Giro d'Italia TV coverage and on the event website, digital media sites and social media profiles. The Velon teams may show race highlights on their websites and digital media channels, with images also appearing on the organisation website velon.cc.
RCS Sport's Giro d’Italia Director, Mauro Vegni, said: “It has always been important for us to bring fans close to the action and new technologies are making it possible to bring them into the peloton and show the Giro d’Italia, the hardest race in the world's most beautiful place, in a whole new perspective to fans all around the world.”
Graham Bartlett, CEO of Velon said: “RCS Sport have really got behind this project and we’re delighted to work with them on such an important race. The eight stages chosen will give a great insight into what it takes to win both stages and jerseys in a Grand Tour and we can’t wait to see the results.”
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Passo delle Erbe, Car Free on June 28th
For the first time, during Börz-Plose Bike Day, the beautiful Passo delle Erbe will be open to cyclists car-free. This is a non-competitive event.
"Börz"» is the original Ladin name for Passo delle Erbe, which is located at the foot of Mount Putia with its magnificent view. The different access roads to it from Antermoia in Badia valley, Luson, S. Pietro in Funes valley and S. Andrea create a perfectly round circuit.
The most challenging climb starts in Luson towards Passo delle Erbe with a height difference of 1.023 m in 14 km and a maximum gradient of 15 %.
The roads will be closed to all motorized vehicles for 61.8 km between 9.30 am and 3.00 pm. Everyone is invited to take part in this cycling event and is free to choose where and when to start. The only suggestion is to cycle possibly clockwise.
Passo delle Erbe photo: by PatitucciPhoto (take a look!)
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Cipollini Bike Academy in Sardinia
Forte Village Resort, the pearl of southern Sardinia. Mario Cipollini one of the best sprinters ever.
What do they have in common? A combination that will be successful, two appointments not to be missed for those who love cycling: the Forte Village Bike Academy by Mario Cipollini.
From 13th to 19th and from 20th to 26th June, participants will be guided by the champion in the best methodologies of training, nutrition and technique.
It will also be possible to rent a MCipollini bike.
Since I happen to own a Max Lelli "Team" bike (great bike btw) I should mention that Max will also have a camp there September 20 to 23 and September 24 to 29.
Registration and contact information here.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
12 Hour Cycling Marathon at Autodromo di Monza
News from 12H Cycling Marathon:
The countdown has started to the first edition of the 12H Cycling Marathon taking place on June 27 and 28 2015 in the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, the famous race track steeped in history.
Dedicated to all cycling enthusiast, their families or simply bicycle lovers, this two-day race takes place from 10.00 a.m. on Saturday 27 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday 28. In a night race where the athletes will face their personal challenge in complete safety, either alone or as a team, the brave participants will pedal non-stop from dusk till dawn for 12 hours, in an event that will provide its share of unique emotions.
The Cycling Open Days are not only a race. Besides the 12H race, there will be an “experiential” Bike Village with on-track Bike Tests and Workshops on sports nutrition, training methods and road safety. This unique and passionate event will also keep the kids entertained, thanks to the Kids Area and to the Junior Bike Test on a mini circuit.
The 12H Cycling Marathon is the brainchild of Andrea Massimello, its creator together with the Night Riders Cycling Team, combining commitment and energy, it is a bike marathon with a double vocation: bold and heroic spirit on one side, exciting and all-involving on the other. It is open to both pro-riders and amateurs who will ride freely at their personal pace. It is possible to take part in this pedaling adventure, alone or as a team consisting of 2, 4 or 8 people (men, women or mixed), sharing the experience with friends. For those “obsessed” with single speed bicycles, they can race with fixed gear cycles that will be scored in a specific list.
But this is not all! Thanks to the partnership with Bike Channel / Sky 214, Radio DeeJay and to the enthusiasm of Linus and Aldo Rock, all raring to start right now, the Autodromo di Monza will be a mix of competition, emotion and fun.
Registrations are now open.
For rules and information, go to www.cyclingmarathon.com.
Ambrosio, Gore, Kappa, Kuota, Lauretana, Lavazza, Red Bull, Specialized and Vittoria are the primary sponsors the 12H Cycling Marathon.
This event will let you pedal in a fascinating environment, at night, with only your own helmet light and the full moon to guide you. Athletes will pedal without traffic and in total safety focusing only on their effort, pushing their physical and mental limits in search of an experience that they have never reached before.
Come, join us and challenge yourself and your friends in the night between June 27 and 28 in Monza.
The 12H Cycling Marathon: this time the engine is you!
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Legendary Climbs, Dolomites + Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo
I received a note from Cycle Italia that they have two slots open on their Legendary Climbs tour of July 5-July 16. Any readers of ICJ who sign up and mention the blog will their choice of rental bike (subject to availability) at NO EXTRA CHARGE.
What's in store? Passo Furcia, Val Pusteria, Passo Tre Croci, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Passo Giau, Colle Santa Lucia, Falzarego, Valparola, Passo Campolongo, Passo Fedaia (Marmolada), Sella, Gardena, Passo Pordoi, Passo Costalunga, Monte San Pietro, Mendola, Palade, Passo dello Stelvio, Passo Mortirolo, and Passo Gavia.
Details at http://www.cycleitalia.com/legendary-climbs-east-dolomites.htm
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Monday, April 27, 2015
200 Slots Left for Colnago Cycling Festival, Desenzano del Garda
Only 200 slots remain available for the Colnago Cycling Festival 2015 in Desenzano del Garda (BS), on beautiful Lake Garda, on 15, 16 and 17 May 2015. Riders from 20 countries and all the regions of Italy are already registered.
Entry forms are available on the official website www.colnagocyclingfestival.com along with all the detailed information about the different events. Details published earlier here.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Entry forms are available on the official website www.colnagocyclingfestival.com along with all the detailed information about the different events. Details published earlier here.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
First Glimpse: Eroica Collection by Santini
A jersey designed to capture the true essence of the Eroica, the event that embodies the passion of the vintage cycling phenomenon. This event inspires thousands of enthusiasts to dust off old steel bikes and take to the white roads of the vineyards of Chianti to relive an experience from origins of cycling. For this reason, Santini Maglificio Sportivo, with its half-century history, proved to be the ideal partner to create a unique collection that would embody the vintage soul of the Tuscan cycling event, bringing back to life the style and fashion of bygone era of cycling.
The new official jersey of L'Eroica - Gaiole in Chianti is made from wool and features authentic additions such as a short metal zipper, triple back pocket with mother-of-pearl buttons, and the beautifully rendered event logo embroidered on the chest and back. The jersey is finished in the trademark burgundy colour of L’Eroica accompanied by a touch of orange, a colour originally synonymous with the Santini brand; additionally a series of original Santini clothing labels have been recreated especially for the line. Finally, an additional label created specifically for the range certifies the originality of every piece and endorses their use for all the Eroica events.
The EROICA BRANDED collection, inspired by some of the most significant pieces preserved in Santini company archives, will make its debut at the Eroica Primavera on Sunday May 3rd in Buonconvento, in the province of Siena. The entire collection incorporates both vintage wool racing garments and also a series of vintage casual garments, wearable off the saddle.
Suggested retail price: 130 Euro
Available in selected stores from May.
For more information please visit: www.santinisms.it/eroica
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
FrameBlock - Theft-proof bike by MilanoBike
FrameBlock is the first bicycle with the lock directly integrated into the frame. Prevent bike theft, with Italian style!
FrameBlock, which is patented by MilanoBike, uses steel cables and a burglarproof lock which are integrated into the design of the bike; the cables extend from the seatstays to a locking mechanism, both shown in red in the Kickstarter edition bike. Each FrameBlock also has a digital code on the frame which can be scanned to determine ownership.
MilanoBike has started a Kickstarter page to get the production of the bikes started. More photos, videos pricing, shipping (available worldwide), and details can be found on Kickstarter here.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
FrameBlock, which is patented by MilanoBike, uses steel cables and a burglarproof lock which are integrated into the design of the bike; the cables extend from the seatstays to a locking mechanism, both shown in red in the Kickstarter edition bike. Each FrameBlock also has a digital code on the frame which can be scanned to determine ownership.
MilanoBike has started a Kickstarter page to get the production of the bikes started. More photos, videos pricing, shipping (available worldwide), and details can be found on Kickstarter here.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Stelbel Returns
The Stelbel brand, founded in Rodano back in the 1973 by Stelio Belletti, has returned. Belletti, a passionate cyclist and a fabricator with exceptional talent and knowledge, was an early expert in the TIG welding technique. Personal problems forced Belletti to close the doors on Stelbel in 1990, and nothing more was heard from the famous framebuilder until 2013. In September of that year, there was talk of a return. The foundations were laid, and work began on returning one of Italy’s finest framebuilding brands to its former glory. Now, thanks to a collaboration between Cicli Corsa and Stelio Belletti a new generation of cyclists can purchase a Stelbel frameset.
The website is www.stelbel.it. Note that a registry of classic Stelbel bikes has been created for owners.
The currently available models can be seen here; they range from the classic "Integrale" to the modern "SB/03":
The "Ortica" track frame dropouts:
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
The website is www.stelbel.it. Note that a registry of classic Stelbel bikes has been created for owners.
The currently available models can be seen here; they range from the classic "Integrale" to the modern "SB/03":
The "Ortica" track frame dropouts:
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
98th Giro d'Italia Starts in One Month
We are only a month away from the official start of 98th Giro d’Italia – organized by RCS Sport / La Gazzetta dello Sport and held from 9 to 31 May – with the new spectacular Team Time Trial stage being held, for the first time in Grand Tours history, on a cycling path: along the Italian Riviera dei Fiori from San Lorenzo a Mare to Sanremo. Edition 98 of the Corsa Rosa will finish in Milan during Expo 2015. 22 teams, each with nine riders, will start the race.
THE 98TH GIRO D’ITALIA IN NUMBERS
4 – Giro d'Italia race starts in Liguria (Genoa 1980, 1992, 2004; Sanremo 1987)
5 – Mountain stages (Fiuggi-Campitello Matese, Marostica-Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo-Aprica, Gravellona Toce-Cervinia, Saint Vincent-Sestriere)
7 – Sprint stages (Albenga-Genova, Montecatini Terme-Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto-Fiuggi, Civitanova Marche-Forlì, Montecchio Maggiore-Jesolo, Tirano-Lugano, Turin-Milan);
7 – Medium mountain stages (Rapallo-Sestri Levante, Chiavari-La Spezia, La Spezia-Abetone, Benevento-San Giorgio del Sannio, Forlì-Imola (Enzo & Dino Ferrari Autodrome), Imola-Vicenza (Monte Berico), Melide-Verbania)
7 – Uphill finishes (Abetone, Campitello Matese, Vicenza (Monte Berico), Madonna di Campiglio, Aprica, Cervinia, Sestriere)
29 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by non-Italians
68 – Overall Giro d’Italia wins by Italians
77 – Kilometers of time trials (17.6km “Riviera dei Fiori” team time trial, 59.4km individual time trial Treviso - Valdobbiadene)
2,178 – altitude, in meters, of the Colle delle Finestre, the Cima Coppi in the 2015 Giro
3,489.0 – the total length of the Giro d'Italia, in kilometers
43,000 – vertical meters climbed during the 2015 Giro d'Italia
JERSEYS
Balocco will sponsor the Maglia Rosa, worn by the General Classification leader.
Banca Mediolanum will sponsor the Maglia Azzurra, dedicated to the King of the Mountains classification leader.
Algida will sponsor the Maglia Rossa, worn by the Points Classification leader.
Eurospin will sponsor the Maglia Bianca, which goes to the Young Riders classification leader.
Photo Credit: LAPRESSE AND GRUBER
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Bixxis, Doriano De Rosa Follows His Own Road
Doriano De Rosa, son of Ugo De Rosa, has decided to go on his own and is creating his own brand: Bixxis. Doriano will be building only in steel and titanium (as he was at De Rosa) at a new workplace in Seregno, just outside of Milano, at Viale Edison 26.
The meaning of Bixxis: Biciclette Italiane per il XXI Secolo; Italian Bicycles for the XXI Century.
Website: www.bixxis.com You can register your email address here for future communications.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Bixxis
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Friday, April 3, 2015
MCipollini RB1000 Luxury Edition
MCipollini wanted to create something new and without precedent for the “Like Bike” in Monte Carlo (3rd to the 5th of April 2015) producing this RB1000 Luxury Edition in carbon, platinum, gold and diamonds.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
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| Gold 40 grams / 18 carats Platinum 12 grams Diamonds 17 carats |
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| "decals' in Platinum |
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Pinarello Announces Rear Suspension Road Bike, Ready for Cobbles
On www.pinarello.com here.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Auction "Bicycles from the Embacher Collection" on 19th May 2015
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| Bianchi C4 1988 Project |
PRESS RELEASE:
CHAIN REACTION
Auction "Bicycles from the Embacher Collection" on 19th May 2015 at Dorotheum
"The Embacher Collection" is unparalleled anywhere in the world and has previously been exhibited at Portland (Oregon/USA), Tel Aviv and in Vienna. It also attracted attention through a special iPad app „Cyclepedia – Iconic Bicycle Designs“ and the books „Smart Move“ and „Cyclepedia“ (2011), self-published or published by Thames & Hudson. Among the prominent fans of Michael Embacher’s collection are fashion designer Sir Paul Smith as well as industrial designers Sir James Dyson, Richard Sapper, and Valentino Campagnolo.
From the Funiculo bicycle, constructed in 1937 by Jacques Schulz, to the Italian ‘Skoot’ suitcase bicycle, the German Köthke tandem of 1948, or Alex Moulton’s titanium collapsible bike ONE OFF of 1991: The range of the Embacher Collection extends from 1930s bicycles to modern day examples. All of them are ready to be used. Initial bids range from 100 to 7,000 Euro.
The passionate collector selected individual bicycles that stood out for their exceptional or special design. His collection, in Michael Embacher’s words, may have originated in an attempt: “to use a particular object to demonstrate: What is design? How far can it be reduced? And how many variations does it nevertheless generate?”
Arranged in eleven colours, the fanned catalogue reflects the auctions extraordinary quality. The bicycles are arranged as a fan of colours, reflecting the storage system the collector himself used to store his collection in an attic.
Website embacher-collection.com
Article from DOROTHEUM myART MAGAZINE No. 5 "Passion in the attic": pdf here
Auction Date
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Tuesday 19 May 2015, 5 pm
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Viewing from
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9 May 2015
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Venue
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Palais Dorotheum, Vienna 1, Dorotheergasse 17
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Online-Catalogue from End of April
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Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Eros Poli - Monsieur Ventoux Joins inGamba
My friend Eros has joined inGamba, a cycling vacation company specializing in European trips. If you are interested in riding with Monsieur Ventoux you can see the rides he is leading in the calendar. Following is the announcement from inGamba:
Monsieur Ventoux, A Legend Joins inGamba
He was never supposed to win. Especially not on the Tour de France's most venerated mountain. Sure, he was prized as Mario Cipollini's sprint lead-out man, but as a climber? Forget it. He weighed more without a bike than most of his competitors did with one, and towered above them all at 1.94 metres tall. He'd had a stellar amateur career, but turned pro late, aged 28. He was an excellent domestique, but not a doyen. No, Mont Ventoux wasn't meant for him.
And yet, Eros Poli took it anyway. The Giant of Provence was conquered by a giant from Verona with a breakaway so audacious that his rivals ignored it. They thought it was the very definition of folly. It was, in fact, the definition of panache.
It was the kind of romantic win befitting a guy called Eros. Cipo, the greatest sprinter of his generation and Poli's team leader, had crashed out of the Vuelta and missed the Tour. Mercatone Uno were without a leader for La Grande Boucle, and so the the workers were let off the chain. It was a rare opportunity to impress at the season's biggest event, and one that Poli took by the scruff of the neck.
Attacking solo some 100km before Ventoux, the Veronese knew that he'd need a huge lead to stay ahead of the pack once the flat stage turned nasty and the road started heading skyward. He did the math. Accepted he'd need at least 24 minutes at the foot of the mountain – a minute for every kilometre climbed with an extra cushion, just in case. And then he went to work.
When the early ramps of the ascent arrived, he was leading by more than 25 minutes. His opponents didn't know it yet, but they'd already sealed their fates. The peloton's big guns fired, but Poli was out of range, flying in spite of his bulk and his loneliness out in front. Not even an attack from a young Marco Pantani could bring him back. He crossed the summit four minutes ahead of il Pirata. Forty kilometres to the finish, but now he had gravity and adrenaline and a lifetime of ambition on his side. The stage, and a unique place in the history books, were his.
Miguel Indurain would go on to win the fourth of his five yellow jerseys that summer, but the undisputed star of the 81st Tour de France was Poli, thanks to one of cycling's greatest ever solo attacks. He did more that day than just win a stage that day in Carpentras; he won the hearts of cycling fans the world over. Because even if he was one of the tallest guys in the peloton, his was a victory for the little guy, and proof that, once in a while at least, spirit and guts could triumph over stacked odds and overwhelming adversity.
The following morning, La Gazzetta dello Sport called Poli's win a national triumph for Italy. The director of the Tour, Jean Marie Leblanc, would later call him a hero. Two decades on, the French still lovingly call him Monsieur Ventoux. We're just happy to call him a friend.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.
Monsieur Ventoux, A Legend Joins inGamba
He was never supposed to win. Especially not on the Tour de France's most venerated mountain. Sure, he was prized as Mario Cipollini's sprint lead-out man, but as a climber? Forget it. He weighed more without a bike than most of his competitors did with one, and towered above them all at 1.94 metres tall. He'd had a stellar amateur career, but turned pro late, aged 28. He was an excellent domestique, but not a doyen. No, Mont Ventoux wasn't meant for him.
And yet, Eros Poli took it anyway. The Giant of Provence was conquered by a giant from Verona with a breakaway so audacious that his rivals ignored it. They thought it was the very definition of folly. It was, in fact, the definition of panache.
It was the kind of romantic win befitting a guy called Eros. Cipo, the greatest sprinter of his generation and Poli's team leader, had crashed out of the Vuelta and missed the Tour. Mercatone Uno were without a leader for La Grande Boucle, and so the the workers were let off the chain. It was a rare opportunity to impress at the season's biggest event, and one that Poli took by the scruff of the neck.
Attacking solo some 100km before Ventoux, the Veronese knew that he'd need a huge lead to stay ahead of the pack once the flat stage turned nasty and the road started heading skyward. He did the math. Accepted he'd need at least 24 minutes at the foot of the mountain – a minute for every kilometre climbed with an extra cushion, just in case. And then he went to work.
When the early ramps of the ascent arrived, he was leading by more than 25 minutes. His opponents didn't know it yet, but they'd already sealed their fates. The peloton's big guns fired, but Poli was out of range, flying in spite of his bulk and his loneliness out in front. Not even an attack from a young Marco Pantani could bring him back. He crossed the summit four minutes ahead of il Pirata. Forty kilometres to the finish, but now he had gravity and adrenaline and a lifetime of ambition on his side. The stage, and a unique place in the history books, were his.
Miguel Indurain would go on to win the fourth of his five yellow jerseys that summer, but the undisputed star of the 81st Tour de France was Poli, thanks to one of cycling's greatest ever solo attacks. He did more that day than just win a stage that day in Carpentras; he won the hearts of cycling fans the world over. Because even if he was one of the tallest guys in the peloton, his was a victory for the little guy, and proof that, once in a while at least, spirit and guts could triumph over stacked odds and overwhelming adversity.
The following morning, La Gazzetta dello Sport called Poli's win a national triumph for Italy. The director of the Tour, Jean Marie Leblanc, would later call him a hero. Two decades on, the French still lovingly call him Monsieur Ventoux. We're just happy to call him a friend.
Content for the Italian Cycling Journal is now based upon contributions from readers. Please contribute. Stories about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.