Another excellent name joins the cast of sports personalities who will receive the Golden Sphinx minted by Lucchese artist Giampaolo Bianchi on Tuesday, June 3rd at the Country Club Hotel. In the 26th edition, current national track cycling sprinters' manager Ivan Quaranta will also be present. The former cyclist was one of the strongest sprinters between the 1990s and 2000s. In thirteen years of professional cycling, he won 39 stages, including six at the Giro d'Italia, also wearing the pink jersey in the 1999 edition, when, in the Mobilvetta-Northwave jersey, he sprinted past Frenchman Jeraen Blijlevens and defeated Mario Cipollini twice in 1999, twice in 2000, and twice in 2001. At the Giro d'Italia, he boasts 18 podium finishes. His experience is now being passed on to young Italian riders, and his advice will help them mature. There is indeed a need in Italy today to cultivate talents and prepare the next generation by discovering some champions. Ivan Quaranta ended his cycling career in the Fanini jersey, racing for Amore e Vita in the 2007 and 2008 seasons, achieving his last victory in the 2007 Settimana Lombarda by winning the third stage from Brignano to Gera d'Adda. In the 2000s, he won several Six Days races paired with the current Italian road and track team manager Marco Villa.

"The Golden Sphinxes - says organizer Valter Nieri - will go this year to great champions who have represented various sports disciplines. For football, Giuseppe Bergomi and Roberto Donadoni. For volleyball, one of the most titled coaches in the world, Giovanni Caprara. For fencing, the Olympic and seven-time world champion Elisa Di Francisca. For rhythmic gymnastics, the most decorated Italian of all time, Milena Baldassarri. Representing boxing, the Olympic champion Patrizio Oliva, and for cycling, the most titled sports director in the world, Giuseppe Martinelli. The honorary members of the Award are consulting to complete this prestigious list, which is not yet final."

Guests of honor this year will also include the well-known journalist Alberto Cerruti, who will present his new book titled "Half a Century in Pink with Football Greats" and Inter scout Leonardo Simoni, son of the famous coach Gigi Simoni, who will be remembered with a collateral Award in its 3rd edition. The 10th memorial award to former Lucchese president Aldo Biagini will also be presented during the evening. For the Institutions, regional CONI president Simone Cardullo and Lucca provincial delegate Stefano Pellacani have already confirmed their participation. With Elisa Di Francisca, the Olympic champions who have received the Award since 1997 now rise to 40.