After the grand start from Albania, the first Italian stage of the Giro d'Italia 108 will begin from Alberobello. This year, for the 23rd consecutive year, Banca Mediolanum is the official sponsor of the Mountain Grand Prix, reconfirming its connection with the Blue Jersey and one of the most beloved sporting events in Italy.

A new edition of "A Ride in the Giro" is also confirmed for 2025, the amateur cycling initiative dedicated to clients and cycling enthusiasts, organized by Banca Mediolanum along the Giro d'Italia stages. A unique opportunity to experience the Giro atmosphere firsthand, anticipating the race and cycling alongside the great champions who have made Italian cycling history.

The appointment is set in Lecce, at the Family Banker Office (FBO) on via G. Oberdan 75, at 11 AM. The cycling ride will start at 11:30 AM, with the expected arrival on the line where professional cyclists will sprint shortly after in the first true sprint of the Giro d'Italia 108, at the end of a flat 60 km route. The initiative was organized by Ugo Lombardi, Regional Manager of Calabria, Puglia, Eastern Basilicata of Banca Mediolanum.

"STORIES ON TWO WHEELS: A CHAMPION'S PERSPECTIVE"

In 1981, Francesco Moser conquered Puglia with an unforgettable Giro d'Italia stage. "I remember the warm wind crossing the olive groves, the white profiles of the trulli, people standing in front of the farmhouses: it seemed like that land was pushing you forward," Moser recalls. "Winning there was special, not just for the race, but for the energy that entered you." It is precisely from Alberobello, in the heart of the Itria Valley, that the first Italian stage of the 2025 Giro begins. A return to landscapes of stone, light, and memory, where everything speaks of deep roots.

Dalia Muccioli, ten years ago in 2015, experienced Puglia as an athlete in training: during a training camp in Salento, her morning rides among the olive groves helped her rediscover rhythm and balance. There she learned to read the wind and listen to nature's breath, a form of meditation on the bike that she still remembers and connects her to the Lecce territory.

Gianni Motta also maintains an affectionate bond with Puglia: during a stage in Taranto, in his years with Molteni, he discovered orecchiette with turnip tops for the first time, a dish that since then has become a symbol of the South's generous hospitality for him.

From these emotions, "Stories on Two Wheels: A Champion's Perspective" is born, the new space curated by Banca Mediolanum. In each stage, one of our testimonials will share a memory, an anecdote, a personal connection with the places crossed by the Giro. A collective narrative of roads, effort, and beauty, where every pedal stroke speaks of passion, memory, and pride.

"FRAGILE, BUT POWERFUL". MEDIOLANUM FOUNDATION'S PROJECT FOR THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISABILITIES

In 2025, Mediolanum Foundation renews its commitment to childhood by supporting "Fragile, but Powerful", the new fundraising campaign of the year. The project aims to provide 1,064 children with complex neurological conditions and their families with a personalized rehabilitation and support path, in collaboration with three excellent organizations: Don Gnocchi Foundation, Fight The Stroke Foundation, and TOG Foundation.

"Fragile, but Powerful" addresses minors living with cognitive, motor, and communication difficulties, caused by genetic, congenital lesions, or perinatal trauma. The campaign will offer them access to innovative rehabilitation treatments, integrated with traditional techniques, with the goal of bringing out and enhancing their unexpressed potential. The project also includes a dedicated psychological support path for parents, to help them in the delicate task of raising and supporting a child with complex disabilities. This year, Mediolanum Foundation will double the first 60,000 euros raised, multiplying the impact of each donation.

The Giro d'Italia will be a special opportunity to raise awareness across the entire national territory, bringing the project's message directly to people and promoting a culture of care and inclusion.