The initiative titled Cycling, Values and Territories was held in Brussels at the Atrium of the European Committee of the Regions, organized by the Professional Cycling League together with the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, under the patronage of the Committee of the Regions. The event aimed to place at the center of the debate, during the plenary session of the Committee, fundamental themes such as the enhancement of territories through cycling, concrete support for equal opportunities through sport, and the health and well-being of communities that derive from hosting sporting events and adopting healthy lifestyles.

"The equalization of prize money between men and women winners of the Italian Regions Cup is an excellent initiative, which I am proud to give space to at the European Committee of the Regions," began the President of the Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő. "Sport speaks to people's hearts. Therefore, as has happened many times in history, it can pave the way for real change in society. I hope that the Italian Regions Cup can inspire not only other races and sports throughout Europe, but also politics to act decisively for a society where women and men are finally treated equally."

During the event, the Italian Regions Cup 2025 was presented, a project by the Professional Cycling League and the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, now in its second edition, which represents an exciting challenge between the best Italian and international cycling teams, included in the prestigious ProSeries circuit and the UCI Europe Tour. Through 31 races - 21 men's and 10 women's - taking place in 11 Italian Regions, the competition celebrates the talent and passion of cycling combined with the vocation of territories.

"I am very happy to be in Brussels today, in the heart of European institutions and its territories, to reiterate the importance of supporting the European sports model based on values, as my opinion, unanimously approved, intended to establish," stated the President of the Professional Cycling League and Rapporteur at the CoR of the initiative opinion on sport, Roberto Pella. "Local and regional authorities play a key role in this sense, and cycling in particular is able to promote social cohesion and equality, thanks to its accessibility and connection to history and territories. Today, and increasingly, this approach to sport in all policies must remain a priority for the EU, in order to enhance the sector and contribute to democratic growth and skills development among young people."

"Cycling is a discipline that combines passion and determination, team spirit and resilience, capable of transforming every road traveled into a journey of discovery of the country's beauties. With the second edition of the Italian Regions Cup - explained the President of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, Massimiliano Fedriga - we aim to strengthen the deep bond between sport and local territories. By crossing Italy, each stage showcases the diversity and richness of our heritage, not only landscape-wise. The Italian Regions Cup, with its innovative format and strong territorial connection, can become an inspiring and replicable model for other European countries, promoting a vision of sport as a tool for growth, inclusion, and enhancement of local identities."

The initiative was attended by: Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Roberto Pella, CoR Member, President of the Professional Cycling League and Vice President of ANCI, Massimiliano Fedriga, CoR Member, President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and President of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, Gianni Bugno, Technical Committee President of the Professional Cycling League, World Champion on the road in Stuttgart 1991 and Benidorm 1992, Federica Favi, Italian Ambassador to Belgium, Marco Canaparo, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the EU, Alberto Cirio, Italian Delegation Head at the CoR and President of the Piedmont Region, Marco Marsilio, ECR Group President at the CoR and President of the Abruzzo Region, Alessandra Todde, President of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Alessia Grillo, Secretary General of the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces.