60th Giro della Provincia di Reggio-Challenge Calabria

De Rosa, just making their debut as a sponsor this year, must have been very pleased with the overall race victory of the De Rosa-Stac Plastic team. The GC winner was Matteo Montaguti.

Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) demonstrated that he was in very good form as he aims for Milan-Sanremo by winning two sprint stages, the earliest victories in a season which he has ever had.

Photos: Montaguti on the podium, Petacchi winning a sprint

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Italian Women's Teams for 2010 Season

The UCI announced today that the registration procedure for the UCI Women’s Teams for the 2010 season has been completed. The International Cycling Union (UCI) has registered 27 teams from 14 countries.

The Italian teams are:

ACS CHIRIO - FORNO D'ASOLO
GAUSS RDZ ORMU
S.C. MICHELA FANINI RECORD ROX
TEAM VALDARNO
TOP GIRLS FASSA BORTOLO - GHEZZI
VAIANO SOLARISTECH

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Campagnolo 75th Anniversary Edition Corkscrew

A reader wrote in saying that in addition to the Campagnolo 75th anniversary jersey he also has a number matching Campagnolo corkscrew. The set is number 47 of 75.

First we've heard of a number matching corkscrew!

Photo: Campagnolo 75th anniversary set; detail photos of Campagnolo 75th anniversary jersey number 09 can be seen here.

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

GIOS, Re-inventing Itself, Part II

Alfredo Gios has contacted me to correct inaccuracies which were posted in "GIOS, Re-inventing Itself" article. As he said, the items contained therein did not correspond with the truth. Please note that I have updated the original article with the corrected information as below.

First, he points out that regarding the legal case in which GIOS was involved in that this case was won on behalf of GIOS in the Italian courts. GIOS also won a decision in the Belgian courts but that particular decision was overturned upon an appeal. Subsequently an agreement was reached between both parties.

Second, there is no truth to any story about financial difficulties at GIOS at any time.

Third, the GIOS 2010 catalog represents 36 models, over half of which are special racing models conceived and designed by him, Alfredo Gios, in Italy.

My thanks to Alfredo Gios for the corrections.

GIOS is a great brand which I'm sure everyone is happy to know continues its long traditions.

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

MTB Granfondo: Granfondo Citta' di Garda, Trofeo Paola Pezzo

For lovers of mtb racing the 10th edition of Granfondo Citta' di Garda, Trofeo Paola Pezzo is not to be missed. To be held on April 25, 2010, and starting in Pezzo's hometown of Garda it's a perfect time of the year to visit Lake Garda and get some racing in. Racing alongside two time Olympic gold medalist Paola Pezzo is quite nice also.

The course has been redesigned this year to be a bit more exciting and challenging, but always manageable for the majority of cyclists that may not yet have many miles in their legs so early in the season. The distance remains the same, 43.5 km.

The start, right along the lake in Garda is spectacular. The granfondo begins with an ascent on asphalt which serves to break up the large group and then after a few kilometers the race begins in earnest as it reaches the dirt roads of Mount Luppi with continuous false flats along what might be called the terrace of Lake Garda. Upon reaching the ancient town of Crero a time trial section of 2.1 km with 260 meters of climbing to San Zeno di Montagna will face riders. The view from up here will leave the participants simply saying, "breathtaking".

Obviously there's a lot more, including the last climb of the Rocca di Garda, through forest and single track that is fascinating. The final section will be all downhill in the direction of Garda.

From Friday the 23rd to all day on Sunday, April 25th, there will be a 10,000 m expo area open to the public which will offer entertainment, food tastings, and displays by leading bike manufactures.

While you are there make sure you stop in at Paola Pezzo's bike shop in Bardolino, just south of Garda.

The event website is here.

Photos: event poster, 2009 event photos

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Di Luca: Two Year Suspension for CERA

Danilo Di Luca has been suspended for two years by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). He tested positive for the EPO derivative CERA at the 2009 Giro d'Italia (riding for LPR). Under the decision, announced today, Di Luca must pay a fine of 280,000 Euro and costs of 2,040 Euro.

The suspension runs through July 21, 2011.

My heart goes out to the people of Abruzzo, the earthquake victims, who must feel so betrayed by one of their own.

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

GIOS, Re-inventing Itself

NOTE: In a note received from Alfredo Gios in response to this article he stated that it contained inaccuracies, and that there were items that did not correspond with the truth. I wrote another article (here) with his comments, and I also decided to include them here in bold so that the record is clear.


In response to the article "What's Going On With GIOS?" I received additional information from Guido, who authors http://www.italiaanseracefietsen.wordpress.com/, which appeared in a European source:

"There were many rumors in recent months about the division of GIOS. Time for clarification and the real story behind all the developments of recent times.

There was no family feud between Alfredo and Aldo Gios, of this there is absolutely no question. The decision to split the old GIOS into two new parts was a pure business decision, motivated by an annoying longstanding legal matter.

GIOS was wrapped in a costly legal battle with one, for privacy reasons undisclosed, wealthy, Belgian dealer. A suit was involved which the Belgian won and the result was that GIOS could be in jeopardy.

NOTE: Alfredo Gios points out that regarding the legal case in which GIOS was involved in that this case was won on behalf of GIOS in the Italian courts. GIOS also won a decision in the Belgian courts but that particular decision was overturned upon an appeal. Subsequently an agreement was reached between both parties.

The case was very expensive for GIOS so much so that it affected the liquidity of the small company.

NOTE: Alfredo Gios says there is no truth to any story about financial difficulties at GIOS at any time.

The solution proved to be to liquidate the old GIOS. For the the Belgian party there was nothing left to achieve and no further damage could be caused to GIOS. The new GIOS is not a contracting party of the Belgians.

Then the new GIOS established a company in two parts run by Alfredo and his brother Aldo. Alfredo focuses his Japanese-made range from www.gios.it aimed and touring and city bikes. Marco and Aldo run the new racing bike through www.giostorino.it for race-oriented riders.

NOTE: Alfredo Gios reports that the GIOS 2010 catalog represents 36 models, over half of which are special racing models conceived and designed by him in Italy.

GIOS is beginning new collection for 2010 building on the tradition of the past. Including specifically the individual 'Italian' philosophy of frame building geometry is maintained. GIOS is alive!"

Photo: track GIOS

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,200 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.