Having the Italian gravel champion on the team is the perfect opportunity for the Team Polti VisitMalta to compete for the first time in this specialty. The gravel baptism of Ivan Basso and the Contador brothers' structure will take place on Saturday, March 29th in the province of Treviso, when Samuele Zoccarato will participate in the first edition of The Hills, a race created by renowned gravelist Mattia De Marchi. The hills in question are those of Prosecco, a world-renowned wine area and an authentic paradise for bicycle lovers: it will be 180 kilometers with 2200 meters of elevation gain, 70% gravel terrain with start and finish at Lake Le Bandie.

In The Hills, the technical partners of Polti VisitMalta are involved in various capacities: Gsport, Sidi, Enve, Vittoria, Prologo, Elite, Look, Kask and Koo. The bicycle that Zoccarato will use is the Manto, the gravel model by AURUM. "I am happy to challenge myself again in this specialty," says the 27-year-old rider, "and I thank the team and AURUM for allowing me to do so with maximum support. I am curious to measure myself against an unprecedented race, which promises to be exhausting due to the very tough course and a top-tier field. I find that gravel is ideal for training and working hard while freeing the mind!"