There are over a thousand kilometres between Rome and Lake Balaton, where the Kometa plant in Hungary is located, but Giacomo Pedranzini's voice comes ringing as if from the next room. The CEO of the family business He is returning to Italy, on one of the many trips that allow him to reconnect with Valtellina and his family.
«The company is based in Hungary – he explains – but it is owned by my family, the Pedranzini Ernesto family, who was our father and spent his life in BormioWe are mountain farmers and ranchers, that's how we were born and raised, and we continue this activity today, thanks to my younger brothers, to whom I am always grateful. We continue to practice mountain farming on the Malga dei Forni mountain pasture, above Santa Caterina Valfurva.My connection with Valtellina began there. Our origins and our activities are still in Valtellina."
Kometa is from the beginning one of the most faithful names of Basso and ContadorOver the years the relationship has evolved and from the continental one of the early days, we have arrived at the collaboration with Eolo and soon with Polti. Giacomo Pedranzini is the company manager, which is dedicated to raising and processing pork. And given the focus on healthy eating, combining it with sports, and cycling in particular, was almost a natural consequence. Now that the Giro returns to Livigno and will remain there for three days (arrival at Mottolino, rest day and the restart), We found it very interesting to hear him tell us about his cycling and his Valtellina.
Why cycling?
Because it has some similarities with the company's values. It is a school of life that we believe can also be useful for the new generationsThe contact with Ivan Basso dates back eight years. He had stopped racing a year or two ago and was aware that it wouldn't be easy. put together a team top. That's how he introduced me a project in which he also talked about sport aimed at social issues, especially young people. And I liked the idea of training young men as well as young athletes.
The team has grown in the meantime…
It gets better every year. We participate regularly in the Tour of Italy and other RCS competitions, so the objectives always remain the same. However, we clearly expect that in addition to the team, the company will also grow. our ability to communicate with the public. We hesitated before joining this project. What sparked the spark was the idea of being able to transmit the values of Kometa, which are also the basis of the ideal of Honest Food of which we are promoters and which is today represented by a non-profit association, founded last September in Milan.
What's your occupation?
We believe that the food sector needs to be rethought in all its componentsFirst of all, it is necessary to find balance and common sense within the supply chain, to produce good, healthy food at a reasonable priceThese are the three cornerstones that can be achieved through the fair distribution of value along the agri-food supply chain. Today we suffer from the abandonment of disadvantaged areas, for example in agriculture. And all this has led to some distortions in prices. For too many years we have focused on growing volumes at ever lower prices, instead of focusing on qualityThis certainly comes at a cost, but food cannot be a luxury.
Does the presence of Basso and Contador serve the message?
The possibility of communicating through the image of two great champions like them was the factor that made us make the decision. The grand start of the Giro from Hungary, with our name and a Hungarian athlete in the team, was one of the actions that had the greatest resonance.We are present at the races. We promote the team in our stores, where consumers can find team merchandise. In addition, for 2024 we have tied up with a new agency, Luca Vitale and Associates, with which we will initiate various communication actions.
What is Giacomo Pedranzini's relationship with cycling?
In all honesty, I have to say that In my family we have never been great sportsmenOur sport was helping dad and mom on the farm, our trek was walking behind the cowsBut we have always liked endurance sports, because they require great persistence and great resistance, even mental.
Do you think cycling is a valid promotional vehicle for your company?
This question is important, but before I answer it, I'll ask another. Why Lidl, one of the largest retail chains in the world, took over from SegafredoWe don't want to compare ourselves to them or have the presumption of keeping the fate of cycling afloat, but we continue because We would be sorry if a sport that has been part of the history and culture of our country became the last wheel of the wagonWhen my father wanted to call us to order, he always said a proverb: "Words fly, example carries.". And so we try, in this case with Polti, to give a small example of perseverance and determination. Hoping that more important and bigger companies than us will come to give us a helping hand. to bring Italian cycling back to its rightful place on the international stage.
Francesca Polti told us that she immediately found a good fit with you as a company. Do you agree?
Of course, because also Polti is a family businessThey have a beautiful story. The affinity is first of all human and of entrepreneurial historyThey'll be able to bring their vast experience to the world of cycling. They won the Giro d'Italia, and I'm sure Papa Polti will give us some very valuable advice.
How many times a year do you return to Valtellina?
At least one a month, so to speak. Then during the summer my family, who is with me in Hungary all year round, very willingly moves to Italy.
Listening to her, you get the feeling of having before you an ambassador of the territory.
The connection with Valtellina is always there. We are successfully experimenting with collaboration between the public and private sectorsThe involvement of the local area, the presence of the Giro d'Italia, and all cycling tourism initiatives are linked to the contribution of the Province of Sondrio. Pierluigi Negri must be recognized for his great ability to coordinate the private sector with the tourist consortia he represents in ValtellinaThe provincial administration always moves forward by considering all aspects. So, it's good to support sports, but the economic interests of the area must also be considered. And today The data shows that summer visitors have equaled the winter visitors and this is a truly important fact. I think this is enough to understand how important promoting cycling is for Valtellina.
How important would it be to be at the start of the next Giro, given the stages in Valtellina?
Being a professional, we'll have to sweat for the invitation. However, we are very confident that what we have done on the race tracks, winning a stage also in the last edition with Davide Bais at Campo Imperatore, speak for us. And as happened in Hungary, having a Valtellina native at the start of the Giro like Davide Piganzoli it would be a source of pride.
A word from the President
In this regard we conclude with a few but very clear words: Davide Menegola, President of the Province of Sondrio with responsibility for Tourism and Mayor of Talamona, whom we asked to tell us about collaboration between the public and private sectors.
«The project linked to cycling – he says – is bringing great results for all operators in the province of Sondrio. Just last month we did aa meeting involving the Province, the BIM Adda Consortium, the Mountain Communities and the Stelvio National Park, where everyone gave the green light to the working group on cycle tourism. However, while previously it had been considered to approve it on a yearly basis, this time we decided to extend the period and support it for the next three years, so that everyone can work with the best perspective towards the goals we have set ourselves."
As if to say that when you create a system, cycling becomes a very powerful means of communicationIn Valtellina they understood this well, just go for a drive on those roads when the snow has melted. The Polti-Kometa Team will be presented in Milan on January 10th, this is excellent news for Italian cycling.
