BORMIO – The setting for the team presentation event Eolo-Kometa it was the Kuerc square in Bormio. The riders of the professional team, led by Iván Basso and his staff, enjoyed the embrace of the Bormio communityAmong the various authorities and enthusiasts present was Giacomo Pedranzini, owner of the Kometa company (in the opening photo in front of the family business with the Eolo-Kometa riders). Sponsor who gives the second name to the professional.
«The Eolo-Kometa project – he tells us first – which I like to call “the Basso and Contador team”, was born seven years ago. He had a clear goal, for me and my family, that he decided to join this initiative. That is, consuming healthy food, promoting an active lifestyle through sport."
Heroic Land
The choice to train in this context is not accidental, la Valtellina It has been the scene of great pedal-powered challenges for yearsThe climb to the Stelvio Pass, the highest road pass in Italy and the second highest in Europe, begins from Bormio. Not far from here the slopes of the Gavia Pass and MortiroloIn short, cycling is at home in Valtellina.
«Valtellina is, first of all – continues Pedranzini – land of heroic agriculture and then of equally heroic cyclingThe vineyards overlooking the road that crosses the valley are a testament to the farmers' hard work and passion for this land. Cycling tourism has grown enormously over the last 20 years, reaching the level of skiing. This is an exceptional achievement for Valtellina; offering healthy tourism that respects the environment and the valley's economic activities is a major milestone."
The engine of professionalism
A big push came from competitive sport, the battles that characterized these climbs brought many enthusiasts to these roads. Once they had admired the natural beauty, enthusiasts had no choice but to retrace these roads.
«We started out as a continental team – he continues – then fortunately we arrived at the professional model, participating in the last three Giro d'Italia. At the Giro d'Italia we also collected two splendid victories in iconic stagesWe hope to contribute to a further revival of cycling in Italy. Cycling was the culture of our country, which dominated international cycling. Bringing a professional team to these streets for training means making them live even outside of the competitive context., which lasts only one day. Culture and passion for sport must embrace this land all year round."
The Hungarian example
The 2022 Giro d'Italia started in Hungary, a land and people who have warmly embraced cycling and the Giro d'Italia. The family business PedranziniKometa, in fact, was born in this valley and also has a factory in HungaryGiacomo Pedranzini lives in that area. What has cycling left behind in those parts a year later?
«He left – he concludes – a Tour of Hungary with crowded streets and a lot of enthusiasm surrounding itThe most beautiful result, which gave the greatest response, is that the Hungarians were very happy with the event. The organization itself said that it was one of the best departures from abroad of the Giro.This is what professional cycling must do: be a driving force for growth at all levels of the sport."
