The GF La Magnifica - Bianchi was officially launched at Forlì City Hall's “Sala Calamandrei” on Friday, May 17th. Bianchi is the new main sponsor of the GF celebrating its second edition on Sunday, September 15th.
 
The GF La Magnifica - Bianchi, well-known as one of the most demanding in Europe, is already part of “Prestigio”, one of the major Granfondo circuits in Italy. “GF La Magnifica-Bianchi is first of all a self-challenge – La Magnifica’s Press Officer Maurizio Ricci explained – but also a plausible challenge with the rivals, a really unmissable event”
 
The perfect synergism between La Magnifica and Bianchi was underlined during the presentation, beside the race heroic and emotional appeal that already favoured a huge number of entries collected all over Europe. Bianchi's decision to join the event as main sponsor of the event certificates the organization and course's quality.
 
"We’re happy to partner with Franco and Michael Massa to realize and promote one of the most interesting and exciting GF in Europe” Bianchi's Marketing Manager Claudio Masnata said. "We believe in a long-term project and we will support the organizer to increase the number of participants, with a special focus on foreign riders. The course is really unique, tough, passing through wonderful landscapes. Bianchi is already supporting the visibility of the event through our own communication and multimedia platform”.
 
Fred Morini, Bianchi's Product Marketing and Communication, talked about the territory as well: “I love Romagna - he said - all along a cycling region, with beautiful countrysides and demanding courses. La Magnifica-Bianchi features a tough race with 'strade bianche' stretches, the perfect race to ride on our newborn Infinito CV. Realized with the exclusive Countervail® viscoelastic materials embedded within the carbon frame, the Infinito CV cancels the road vibrations the 75% faster than the traditional carbon frames, assuring a better bike control and a reduced muscle fatigue. Infinito CV is the best to tackle La Magnifica-Bianchi”,  Morini argued.
 
The organizing committee shall unveil further novelties and course details soon, with many services and activities at the race village to be enjoyed by the riders, their families and accompanying persons next September 14th-15th.
 
Info: GF La Magnifica and Bianchi
 
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Austrian Alexander Gehbauer on Bianchi Methanol 29 SL clinched 21st at World Cup XCO round-1 in Albstadt (Germany) on Sunday, May 19th. TX Active-Bianchi’s 23-year-old rider displayed a good performance in his first World Cup race among élites. Gerhard Kerschbaumer, the youngest biker in the mix, was 33rd. Swiss Martin Gujan got to the arrival in 43rd position.

Juniors Chiara Teocchi and Federico Barri on Methanol SX2 achieved a shining debut in Germany. Last Saturday, Teocchi celebrated her first national team's cap placing sixth, after having recovered 28 positions. Today Barri, started in 107th position,  went up lap by lap taking 21st on the arrival.

2013 World Cup XCO will catch the eye again on  May 25th-26th in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic), then it will visit Val di Sole (Italy) on June 15th-16th.

Tony Longo on Methanol SL2 scored his third seasonal win at Venzonassa Marathon Bike, 61 km race in Venzone (North-Eastern Italy), preceding Ronchi, Celestino and teammate Leonardo Paez on Methanol 29 SL.

Junior Cristian Boffelli on Methanol 29 SX placed second at Lombardy’s Junior Championships in Berbenno di Valtellina. Rookie Katia Moro and cadet Oscar Vairetti took third at Cadets/Rookies regional champs in Montalto Pavese.

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TX Active-Bianchi's Chiara Teocchi placed sixth among Junior Women at World Cup XCO opening race in Albstadt (Germany) on Saturday, May 18th. Italian youngster on Bianchi Methanol SX2 started from the sideline in her debut race dressing the Italy's national team jersey, to stage a resounding recovery then.

Teocchi was ninth after the first lap, going on gaining positions in the two further ones and closing with a 2:11 gap from her countrywoman Greta Weithaler. "It was really a great joy, we couldn't expect such Chiara's great debut. This result awarded her diligence. Last winter she was always in the thick of action during the CX season, and same she did in the first XC races" Junior team's manager Andrea Ferrero stated.

On Sunday, May 19th in Albstadt the team TX Active-Bianchi will line up Federico Barri in the Juniors race, Alexander Gehbauer, Martin Gujan and U23 Gerhard Kerschbaumer in the Elite race.

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Mountain bike’s 2013 campaign quickening in the coming weekend with the World Cup XCO opening in Germany, a demanding test for the three TX-Active Bianchi élite riders in the action.

Alexander Gehbauer, Martin Gujan and Gerhard Kerschbaumer on Bianchi Methanol 29 SL will be in the mix at World Cup XCO round-1 in Albstadt on Sunday, May 19th. TX Active-Bianchi’s riders will tackle the Men Elite race at 2 pm.

Wearing the Italy’s national team jersey, juniors Chiara Teocchi and Federico Barri will drive their Methanol SX2 in Albstadt as well.

At World Cup XCo 2012 Gehbauer took win among U23 in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) and La Bresse (France), second in Houffalize (Belgium), third in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) and fourth in the final classification. Kerschbaumer was the best in Val d’Isère’s round, runner-up in Pietermaritzburg, Mont Sainte-Anne (Canada) and in the GC, fourth in Houffalize.

2013 World Cup XCO  calendar: May 18th-19th Albstadt (Germany); May 25th-26th Nove Mesto (Czech Republic); June 15th-16th Val di Sole (Italy); July 27th-28th Vallnord (Andorra); August 10th-11th Mont Sainte-Anne (Canada); September 14th-15th Hafjell (Norway).

Tony Longo on Methanol SL2 and Leonardo Paez will take part at Venzonassa Marathon Bike, 61 km-race in Venzone (North-Eastern Italy) on Sunday, May 19th as well.

Rookie Katia Moro and cadet Oscar Vairetti will race for the Lombardy’s regional titles in Montalto Pavese, as well as junior Cristian Boffelli on Methanol 29 SX in Berbenno di Valtellina.

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Bianchi’s top models of the Road range, products and technologies will be in the showcase at Nove Colli's week-end in Cesenatico (Central Italy) on May 17th-19th. Bianchi will join the expo and test area with their own staff.

On Friday, May 17th and Saturday, May 18th Bianchi will display a preview of the new Infinito CV featuring the innovative Countervail® technology, successfully experienced by Juan Antonio Flecha at the recent Paris-Roubaix. Few selected guests will have the opportunity to test the new bike. The Oltre XR and Sempre Pro bikes used in the current Giro d'Italia by the Vacansoleil-DCM and Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela's riders respectively will be available to test as well.

In Bianchi booth, beside showing the Road range top models, Bianchi will offer the free mechanical assistance to all the “Celeste” riders joining the GF Nove Colli, the most famous worldwide among the Italian granfondo races, on May 19th.

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Vacansoleil-DCM’s Lieuwe Westra on Bianchi Oltre XR took an impressive success in Tour of California stage 1,165 km around Escondido (US), on Sunday, May 12th. Westra won a two-man sprint with Francisco Mancebo, crossing the white line six seconds ahead of Peter Sagan, who edged the bunch sprint.

The Dutch team celebrated its first appearance at Tour of California in outstanding fashion. Westra will start the 2nd stage of the American race wearing the leader’s yellow jersey. Thomas de Gendt and Juan Antonio Flecha are tackling the Tour of California as well.

Team Vacansoleil-DCM's Kenny Robert Van Hummel and Danny Van Poppel on Bianchi Oltre XR clinched second and third respectively in Tour de Picardie’s final stage, 171 km from Nanteuil-le-Haudouin to Soissons (France) on May 12th.

Van Hummel and Van Poppel were preceded only by German Marcel Kittel, overall winner of the French race. In the GC Van Hummel finished third with a 20-second gap and Van Poppel with a 22-second gap from Kittel.

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Colombian Leonardo Paez took the third victory in a row at 15th GF Costa degli Etruschi in Marina di Cecina (Tuscany, Italy) on Sunday, May 12th. TX Active-Bianchi's élite rider on Bianchi Methanol 29 SL won the Italian Marathon race preceding Francesco Casagrande. Tony Longo on Methanol SL2 was in the thick of the action in the first half-race at XCM European Championships in Singen (Germany), before closing 37th.

After the win in Graz, Alexander Gehbauer placed sixth at Trofeo Città di Gorizia - XIV Memorial Franco Zara, Internazionali d'Italia's round4 in Gorizia (North-Eastern Italy).

In Gorizia Katia Moro on Methanol SX2 clinched victory among female rookies, cadet Oscar Vairetti placed second, cadet Giorgio Rossi and junior Chiara Teocchi third and junior Federico Barri fifth. Barri and Teocchi were capped by the Italy's team manager Hubert Pallhuber for the World Cup XCO's opening round in Albstadt (Germany) on Sunday,  May 19th.

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TX Active-Bianchi's Alexander Gehbauer will be in the action at Trofeo Città di Gorizia - XIV Memorial Franco Zara, Internazionali d'Italia's round4 in Gorizia (North-Eastern Italy) on Sunday, May 12th. Austrian rider aims to confirm last weekend's successful performance on Bianchi Methanol 29 SL at Grazer Bike – Opening Stattegg in Graz (Austria).

On the same day, Tony Longo will play his cards on Methanol SL2 at Rothaus Hegau Bike Marathon, 94 km European Championships - XCM race in Singen (Germany), whilst Leonardo Paez will look for the third win in a row at 15th GF Costa degli Etruschi, 75-km Marathon from Cecina to Cecina Mare (Tuscany, Italy).

Junior team will take part to the Internazionali d'Italia's round4 with the full roster: juniors Federico Barri, Cristian Boffelli and Chiara Teocchi, cadets Giorgio Rossi and Oscar Vairetti and rookie Katia Moro. Youngsters are equipped with Methanol SX2 and Methanol 29SX bikes.

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World Tour Team Vacansoleil-DCM on Bianchi Oltre XR bikes will race for the first time at Tour of California. in the US, on May 12th-19th.

The Dutch team will line-up a very strong team, featuring attackers, sprinters and GC-riders, who will wear a special “celeste Bianchi” outfit. On the American West Coast, De Gendt, Flecha and Westra will kick-off their preparation towards the Tour de France, aiming at the same time to achieve good results both in the stages and in the GC.

Vacansoleil-DCM's eight-man roster: Kris Boeckmans, Thomas De Gendt (Belgium), Juan Antonio Flecha (Spain), Tomasz Marczynski (Poland), Lieuwe Westra, Bert-Jan Lindeman, Boy van Poppel and Wesley Kreder (Netherlands).

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Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela’s Fabio Felline placed second at Giro d’Italia’s stage4, 246 km from Policastro Bussentino to Serra San Bruno (Southern Italy) on Tuesday, May 7th. The Italian rider on Bianchi Sempre Pro managed to achieve a good position in the bunch sprint, then he was outsprinted only by the countryman Enrico Battaglin.

Bianchi bikes were in the race’s forefront with Androni’s Emanuele Sella on Sempre Pro, virtual leader while he was taking part to a long escape, and Marco Marcato: Vacansoleil-DCM’s rider on Oltre XR attacked in the late stage winning the intermediate sprint in Soriano Calabro.

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TX Active-Bianchi’s Leonardo Paez and Tony Longo clinched an outstanding double at 25th “Da piazza a piazza”, 92 km Marathon in Prato’s nearby (Tuscany, Italy), on Sunday, May 5th. On a demanding course and under a heavy rain, Paez on Methanol 29 SL was the "man of the race", alongside his teammate, Tony Longo on Methanol SL2.

“Both of us attacked since the early stage, packing  a four-man group.  I managed to achieve a good advantage over my rivals about after the 45th km and to avoid Longo and Casagrande’s recovery”, the Colombian said. Paez got the finish line 1 minute and 45 seconds ahead of  Longo.

Golden Sunday for Alexander Gehbauer as well: the Austrian on Methanol 29 SL preceded Christoph Soukup and Karl Markt at Grazer Bike - Opening Stattegg, in Graz (Austria). “This success rewards my sacrifice after many physical troubles. I suffered in the early season. I’d like to dedicate this victory to our President Felice Gimondi and Bianchi, who never stopped to make me feel their belief”, stated a joyful Alexander Gehbauer.

In the BMC Racing Cup in Solothurn, Swiss Martin Gujan placed 14th, on Saturday, May 4th. Gerhard Kerschbaumer took 18th in the MTB Alpago Trophy, Internazionali d’Italia’s round 3 in Lamosano di Chies d’Alpago (Belluno).

In Veneto region, junior Federico Barri and cadet Oscar Vairetti were runner-up in their relative series, both on saddle of Methanol SX2. Junior Chiara Teocchi got the podium as well, taking third. Cristian Boffelli, on Methanol 29 SX scored fifth. Not to be for rookie Katia Moro and cadet Giorgio Rossi, hindered by mechanical problems at Youth Italian Cup.

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Kenny Robert Van Hummel on Bianchi Oltre XR took third at 4 Jours de Dunkerque / Tour du Nord-pas-de-Calais’ stage 2, 178,2 km from Leward to Douchy-les-Mines (France), on Thursday, May 2nd.

Vacansoleil-DCM’s Dutchman was outsprinted only by French Arnaud Demare, overall leader, and preceded his countryman Ramon Sinkeldam, going up to the second position in the GC.

Twenty-four hours before Van Hummel had placed third in Courrières. In Douchy-les-Mines the Vacansoleil-DCM’s sprinter got the third seasonal podium: Dutchman had achieved second at Handzame Classic as well, 196 km race from Bredene to Handzame (Belgium).

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Two teams supplied with Bianchi bikes, Vacansoleil-DCM and Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela will be on Giro d’Italia’s (May 4th-26th) starting line in Naples. Nine bikes out of 207 in the action will be Vacansoleil-DCM’s Oltre XR, as much as the Sempre Pro of the Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, Italian champion team.

Oltre XR is the Bianchi's monocoque carbon frame designed for extreme performance and developed with Vacansoleil-DCM riders. Thanks to the combination of UMS40 and CN60 Ultra High Modulus carbon fibers, the Oltre XR features 30gr weight reduction and 20% increased rigidity compared to Oltre model. The extreme rigidity to weight ratio of the new Oltre XR provides optimal climbing performance while the aero shape of the frame assures the highest speeds in both flat and downhill sections.

Sempre Pro is the carbon monocoque frame part of B4P (Born for Performance) family, engineered to combine stiffness with lightweight. Latest evolution of the Sempre model, featuring Bianchi's special racing geometry, the new model displays a larger diameter downtube, internal cable routing and oversized chain stay for direct power transmission.

Team Vacansoleil-DCM will take part at the pink race with Italian Marco Marcato, Slovenian Grega Bole, Dutch Martijn Keizer, Maurits Lammertink, Pim Ligthart e Rob Ruijgh, Spanish Rafa Valls, Belgian Frederik Veuchelen and Willem Wouters.
 
Team Androni Giocattoli will line-up Italian Emanuele Sella, Giairo Ermeti, Fabio Felline, Mattia Gavazzi, Diego Rosa and the national champion Franco Pellizotti, Venezuelan Tomas Gil and Jackson Rodriguez, Colombian Miguel Angel Rubiano.

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TX Active-Bianchi’s riders will look for victories in four different European races on Sunday, May 5th.

Tony Longo and Leonardo Paez will take part at 25th “Da piazza a piazza”, 92 km Marathon in Prato’s nearby (Tuscany, Italy). Alexander Gehbauer will be at Grazer Bike – Opening Stattegg, XCO race in Graz (Austria). Martin Gujan will compete in his country as well, by joining the BMC Racing Cup in Solothurn (Switzerland). Italian champion Gerhard Kerschbaumer will be in the action at MTB Alpago Trophy, Internazionali d’Italia’s round 3 in Lamosano di Chies d’Alpago (Belluno). Longo rides on Bianchi Methanol SL2, his teammates on Bianchi Methanol 29 SL.

Junior team will get to Veneto region with the full roster: juniors Federico Barri, Cristian Boffelli and Chiara Teocchi will enter the international race, cadets Giorgio Rossi and Oscar Vairetti and rookie Katia Moro the Youth Italian Cup. Youngsters are equipped with Methanol SX2 bikes, except for Boffelli – winner among Juniors at Valcavallina MTB Race a Entratico (Northern Italy) on Wednesday, May 1st – who rides on Methanol 29 SX.

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Bianchi is pleased to announce a new partnership with RCS Sport as Official Sponsor of the Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia series in USA. Bianchi and the Giro d’Italia represent the quintessence of Italian cycling legacy. One that features Italian style and design, performance, quality and technology in a history that is interwoven with each other, from the past to the future.
 
2013 Granfondo Giro d'Italia series include the following events: Sea Otter Classic (Monterey - California, April 20th), Five Boro (New York, May 5th), Los Angeles/Pasadena (California, June 2nd), Miami/Coral Gables (Florida, November 10th).
 
“Bianchi is excited to work with RCS to bring the concept of a real Italian Gran Fondo to the U.S.” says Bianchi USA’s Jim Stevenson. “The great thing about the Gran Fondo concept is that it really focuses on cycling as a participant sport.  It’s very inclusive and it’s up to each individual rider to set their own goals. For some, it may be to finish first, while for others, it may be to simply finish”.
 
“Bianchi is continuously investing in Granfondo events in Italy and also internationally", Bianchi CEO and Chairman of Bianchi USA Bob Ippolito said. "The new sponsorship of the Granfondo Giro d'Italia is strategic for Bianchi to create a closer connection with the public and the cycling fans under the combination of two legendary Italian brands".
 
Lucky registrants to the Gran Fondo Giro d’italia series will be eligible to win one of four Bianchi Impulso road bikes to be raffled as prizes. The Impulso is a beautiful high-performance bike with a unique design and the Bianchi patented Triple Hydroformed Technology offers accurate and stable handling over any road. It comes also in the Impulso Dama version for women, featuring a shorter stem and a shorter handlebar.
 
The Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia brings to America a top international appeal and the ultimate expertise in mass-participation productions of a true “Italian” Gran Fondo experience with timed climbs and challenges that impart an atmosphere typically reserved for professional races, all in a fun “Italian style” environment that brings out the best of this sport.  
 
Additional sponsors of the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia include: Vittoria, Selle Italia, Limar, Santini, Bicycling, Speedplay, La Gazzetta dello Sport and Interbike. For additional information please visit www.gfgiro.com and www.bianchi.com.
 
About Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia
 
Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia is a worldwide series organized by RCS Sport, owner of high-quality sporting events including the Giro d’Italia, Milano – Sanremo, Il Lombardia (ex Giro di Lombardia), Tirreno – Adriatico, Strade Bianche by Limar (White Roads); the Milano City Marathon; Italian Open; advisor to the national Soccer Team, and to the Inter Football Club; advisor of the Basketball Italian federation and organizer of major events of the Lega Basket “Serie A”; in collaboration with the SDA Bocconi School of Management, RCS is also organizer of the Sport Business Academy. The Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia aims to connect cycling fans to the mystique of the Giro, hence growing the appreciation of Giro d'Italia in the world. The event is under the auspices of The Italian Consulate General of New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
 
About Bianchi
 
Established in 1885 by Edoardo Bianchi, Bianchi is recognized worldwide as one of the “pillars of Italian cycling”.  Today, Bianchi is part of the Swedish based Cycleurope A. B. Group, held by Grimaldi Industri A.B.  Bianchi is a proud sponsor of the Vacansoleil-DCM and Androni Giocattoli pro cycling teams.  Bianchi is also the owner of TX Active-Bianchi MTB team.

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Kenny Robert Van Hummel on Bianchi Oltre XR placed third at 4 Jours de Dunkerque / Tour du Nord-pas-de-Calais’ stage 1, 155,1 km from Dunkerque to Courrières (France), on Wednesday, May 1st. Vacansoleil-DCM’s rider was outsprinted by French Arnaud Demare and Dutch Ramon Sinkeldam.

Van Hummel got in Courrières his second podium display in 2013: Dutchman had been runner-up at Handzame Classic, 196 km race from Bredene a Handzame (Belgium). Previously Van Hummel had entered Top 10 at Tour Down Under, Tour of Qatar and Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen's stage-1.

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Androni Giocattoli’s Mattia Gavazzi on Bianchi Sempre Pro scored an impressive success at Giro di Toscana, 199,8 km race from Pontedera to Arezzo  (Tuscany, Italy) on Sunday, April 28th. The Italian rider won the bunch sprint ahead of Russian Ivan Rovny and American Taylor Phinney.

His teammate Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez placed fifth.

In Arezzo, Gavazzi took his second seasonal win, the fourth overall of team Androni Giocattoli in 2013. Gavazzi himself had won a stage at Tour de San Luis in Argentina, last January, followed in March by Alessandro Malaguti at the Route Adelie in France and Fabio Felline at Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali in Italy.

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TX Active-Bianchi’s Leonardo Paez on Bianchi Methanol 29 SL clinched victory at GF del Durello, 47 km race in San Giovanni Ilarione (North-Eastern Italy) on Sunday, April 28th. His countryman Amaya Chia, on Methanol 29 SL as well, placed fourth.

Tony Longo on Methanol SL2 went close to success at GF 9 Fossi in Cingoli (Macerata): the Italian was outsprinted by Juri Ragnoli. At Haiming’s Ötztaler Mountainbike Festival, in Austria, Martin Gujan was 17th and Gerhard Kerschbaumer 22nd, both on saddle of Methanol 29 SL.

“I’m really satisfied with the results we’re taking in GF and Marathon races. We are now willing to get back to front position in the XC races too, as we have not lived up to the expectations so far” TX Active-Bianchi’s team manager Massimo Ghirotto stated.

All Junior team’s riders went on the podium at Internazionali d’Italia XC round-2 in Montichiari (Northern Italy). Katia Moro on Methanol SX2 achieved win in the female Rookie series. Giorgio Rossi and Oscar Vairetti completed the podium of the Cadets race won by the Swiss Colombo. Juniors Federico Barri and Chiara Teocchi placed third.

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The whole Bianchi MTB Methanol 2013 range will be available to test at BIKE Festival Garda Trentino, celebrating in Riva del Garda, Garda Trentino – Italy its 20th edition from May 3rd to 5th. Over 25.000 visitors are expected on the Lake Garda banks for one of the biggest and most important MTB-dedicated events in the World.

In the Bianchi area (D22) our professional staff will explain and make you test 2013 MTB range’s top models: the brand-new Methanol 29FS and Methanol 29 SL, the 26” Methanol SL2 and Methanol SX2, all TX Active-Bianchi’s official bikes.

We are waiting for you!

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Alexander Gehbauer, Martin Gujan and Gerhard Kerschbaumer on Bianchi Methanol 29 SL will enter the Ötztaler Mountainbike Festival in Haiming (Austria) on Sunday, April 28th. TX Active-Bianchi's trio will be under the guidance of team manager Massimo Ghirotto.

Italian Tony Longo on Methanol SL2 will be in the action at GF 9 Fossi in Cingoli (Central Italy), whilst Colombian Leonardo Paez on Methanol 29 SL will take part at GF del Durello in San Giovanni Ilarione (North-East Italy).

Junior team's manager Andrea Ferrero will line-up the full roster at Internazionali d'Italia's round-2 in Montichiari (Lombardy region): juniors Federico Barri, Cristian Boffelli and Chiara Teocchi, cadets Giorgio Rossi and Oscar Vairetti, rookie Katia Moro. Youngsters ride on Bianchi Methanol SX2 bikes except for Boffelli, using a Methanol 29 SX.

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