«We want to give the apple time to ripen while making significant investments». This is the concept expressed to us by Domenico Fagoni, team manager of the Mazzano Cycling School which for 2023 has set up interesting innovations for their formations of debuting and student women (opening photo MirronMedia).
The Brescia-based team, which boasts decades of experience in men's cycling, is just starting out in women's cycling. Last year, it was the undisputed leader, dominating the first-year rookies. Fifteen victories, seven podiums and other placings all obtained with Anna Bonassi, Italian champion of the category.
Incredible numbers that have tickled the audacity of Fagoni and the Mazzano Cycling School to sign an agreement with the Liv brand and the related corporate groupIn this youthful latitude, this is the first time such a prominent brand has linked up with the Italian women's movement. We were immediately curious to explore this collaboration further. We listened to the words of both the manager and Marta Villa, marketing manager of Liv Cycling & Cadex.
A miniature WT
«Personally, I've been at the Mazzano Cycling School for nine years – Fagoni begins – but only in 2021 did we start with the women's team with a total of four athletes. This year there were six, while in 2023 there will be ten. Six debutants and four students. Here in the province of Brescia, we are the only two companies that focus on women, and we would like to do something innovative. There is so much potential and we would like to encourage girls in the area to choose our team for two main reasons.Because we are growing and achieving results, and because we have invested financial resources in a long-term project."
«Six months ago - goes on - I asked Marta (Villa, ed.) if they would be happy to provide us with the Liv bikesThey welcomed our proposal, and at that point, we took advantage of the discounted prices and bought helmets, shoes, and computers from their group. Speaking with the graphic designers at Flandres Love, the clothing company, we have also changed the livery of our uniforms, taking up those of the WorldTour team led by Giorgia BronziniWe thought we'd give credit to our sponsors, including Liv and Cadex, by reciprocating their support. On the other hand we have to exploit this type of visibility».
Liv and Cadex's support
A marketing statement that for the Taiwanese brand is yet another leap into a new frontier.For our company - Explains Marta Villa It will be like an experiment but we are very confident. Besides Liv Racing TeqFind e Jayco AlUla (the new name of the BikeExchange, ed.) in the women's WT and to several ambassadors, now we will also have the Mazzano Cycling School. They are a beautiful reality, we liked all the girlsDomenico is passionate and on top of many things. Plus, they gave us a really nice surprise when they presented us with the jersey; we weren't expecting it at all. At that point we thought of providing them with a plus like the Cadex wheels 36mm with “classic” tires for training and “race” tires for competitions. For Giant and Liv, the goal is to get more and more kids on bikes."
Sports and social project
And what are the goals of the Brescia cycling school?Our intent – Fagoni continues – is to increase the numbers and reach the junior ranks for 2026. Plans like these can't be improvised, it takes patience. If a closer relationship with Liv Racing is established in the future, all the better, otherwise we will continue as normal. We've struggled to do all this over the last few years, but we're happy. In Molinetto di Mazzano we have our headquarters at the sports field, where we train our very young people on the athletics track."
«There's a great atmosphere in our women's team – she continues. All girls who are growing up well taking Anna Bonassi as a role model. However, she still has to grow but we are working well. In 2023, we'd like to win the Italian road championship, the regional championship, and the Coppa di Sera with her again. Then we're aiming for the Italian title on the track in speed.In any case, we don't want to put pressure on the girls. We're primarily concerned with the social aspect, and this applies to all our young members. By making them run we keep them away from the streets and bad company.We try to educate them so that they can be good people alongside being good athletes. And we do this thanks to a series of figures that we consider fundamental».
The importance of staff
These arguments demonstrate that nothing seems to be left to chance at the Mazzano Cycling School, even at the risk of receiving some criticism for being too professional in this category.
“I dedicate myself 24 hours a day to this project,” concludes Domenico Fagoni, “and I understood that we had to adapt to what was happening above us. WT teams go around signing the best juniors. Consequently, the junior teams go around looking for the best students. And so on.We want to be ready, that's all. And so we also understood that there are needs that need to be addressed.
«We have included sports psychologist Claudia Maffi To learn how to manage the emotional issues associated with defeat, for example. Everyone sees them as negative, but for us it's part of the game, but we need to make them understand it. We have Fabio Zotti who is responsible for the preparation of the two women's teams. He interfaces with sports directors Elena Sorlini, Mattia Bacinelli and Laura Moretta. And finally I would like to thank Angelo Capponi and Giulio Bonassi, respectively president and vice president of the Mazzano Cycling School, because they always give us maximum support, making our work easier."
