The BePink-Bongioanni project in 2025 becomes even more "international". In this new competitive season, the Lombard formation, in addition to the confirmed Jenčušová and the new entries Uiterwijk Winkel, Garau Roca and Schweikart, will also have Japanese Maho Kakita, a road and track cyclist from Fukuoka, on the island of Kyūshū.

Born on December 14, 2004, last year Kakita participated in the World Championships in Zurich (Switzerland) and also in the world championship dedicated to fixed-gear bikes held at the Ballerup Super Arena in Copenhagen (Denmark); she also defended the colors of the Land of the Rising Sun in the Team Pursuit and Madison at the Paris Olympics. In 2024, she also won numerous national track titles and attempted the hour record.

In 2023, she finished 2nd in the National Time Trial Championships and secured a prestigious sixth place in the Summer Asian Games road race. In 2022, as a junior, she celebrated an important fifth place in the junior world championship road race.

"When I was 14, I was selected by the Japan Rising Star Project to race in cycling. Until then, I had played soccer, but I had always dreamed of winning an Olympic medal, and at 16, I decided to dedicate myself to two wheels. The first time I rode a bicycle, I thought I could go anywhere I wanted, so I was immediately fascinated." Kakita explained. "At the Junior World Road Championships in Australia, I met Yukiya Arashiro, an athlete competing in Europe, and I was struck by his story, so I started wanting to race in this continent one day. This year, I want to stand out in road races and face every challenge with determination, so I can share great joys with my teammates. So far, I have trained mainly on the track, in velodromes, so I would like to demonstrate my sprint capabilities on a white line. The mountains will be a nice 'test', but I want to face it with determination. A big goal would be to podium at the World Track Championships; even Los Angeles 2028 would be a beautiful dream!"

"We are happy to officially welcome Maho to the team," said Team Manager Walter Zini. "She is a young athlete who has already shown she can do great things, especially on the track, a specialty we have always cared about as a team. She was recommended by two very competent people, Hiroshi Daimon and Miho Oki, who spoke highly of her. With Oki, a JOC (Japanese Olympic Committee) member, I also had the opportunity to work for four years. She will certainly be a great added value for us, even in road races, where we can't wait to see her in action. With her, our roster is perfectly completed! This year, once again, we will focus on young girls, but also on more experienced athletes, and we are certain that we will be able to achieve some beautiful satisfactions!"

2025 Formation:

Irene Cagnazzo, Italy, 05/07/2005

Andrea Casagranda, Italy, 22/09/2004

Beatrice Caudera, Italy, 29/11/2003

Carmela Cipriani, Italy, 11/11/1996

Linda Ferrari, Italy, 23/11/2006

Marina Garau Roca, Spain, 15/09/2002

Vittoria Grassi, Italy, 14/07/2005

Nora Jenčušová, Slovakia, 14/04/2002

Maho Kakita, Japan, 14/12/2004

Linda Laporta, Italy, 07/08/ 1999

Silvia Milesi, Italy, 16/08/2006

Angela Oro, Italy, 27/05/2002

Aileen Schweikart, Germany, 27/03/1996

Gaia Segato, Italy, 27/03/2004

Meike Uiterwijk Winkel, Netherlands, 04/12/1999

Elisa Valtulini, Italy, 28/12/2004