The Professional Continental Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli and UCI women’s MCipollini-Giambenini teams were presented together at a joint event at the Villa Quaranta Park Hotel, between Verona and Lake Garda in northern Italy. The two teams share a number of sponsors, including MCipollini bikes and Giordana clothing, which is reflected in their similar flouro yellow, white and black kit.
"Two years ago I wanted to entirely dress the athlete, adding bikes to our production,” said Federico and Philippe Zecchetto, the president – and his son – of the group of companies that includes Giordana, DMT and MCipollini. “But not all ordinary bikes, because in Giordana when we do something we do it well. The bicycles we produce, I said, will be the best in the world. At least until now, the results of our athletes support this idea.”
Both teams include the Italian national champion, Giovanni Visconti and Monia Baccaille, and 2011 is a special year for wearing the iconic green, white and red tricolore.
"We are proud to wear the tricolour jersey in the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy because it is the symbol and the hallmark of our team and our sponsors,” said Angelo Citracca, Team Manager of Farnese Vini – Neri Sottoli. “The wins obtained until now are the result of hard work and of the group that [Luca] Scinto has managed to create, and we are sure we want to continue to be protagonists of this season, also to honour our flag.”
As well as Visconti, Farnese Vini-Neri Sottoli’s big star of 2011 so far has been Andrea Guardini, who has already taken six victories. As the 21-year-old sprinter has achieved those while astride a bike that bears the name of Mario Cipollini, inviting comparisons between himself and the legendary Re Leone.
"I do not like making comparisons,” said Guardini modestly, “but I'm happy about the beginning of the season. Now I want to improve, respecting the plans of Luca [Scinto] ready to measure up again with the best in the sprints."
The women’s MCipollini-Giambenini team is even more packed with stars; in addition to Baccaille, the team boasts three former World champions in Marta Bastianelli, Nicole Cooke and Tatiana Guderzo, as well as a former junior champion in Rosella Cavolli.
"I am happy and excited to be here,” said 2008 World and Olympic champion Cooke, “my biggest goal is the 2012 London Olympics, which will be in my home country, but I want to do well during 2011. I would like to win some classics and to ride well with this team, which is really fantastic.”
Cipollini himself is particularly proud to be supporting a women’s team.
"Women still have that grit and competitive spirit than has been lost in men,” said the legendary sprinter. “And I'm happy to be among them, giving my name to the team. I'll do what I can to follow them; women cycling is a very interesting and growing movement.”
Not to be outdone by the success of their male counterparts, the MCipollini-Giambenini team has also taken a victory in 2011, with Baccaille’s sprint win on the final stage of the Tour of Qatar.
As well as the two elite teams, two under-23 teams were presented in the shape of Palazzago-MCipollini and Egidio-MCipollini. Giordana also supports the Gran Fondo Eddy Merckx, which will take place at Rivalta di Brentino, in Belluno province on June 12th.