Today in Milan, at the 39th floor belvedere of Palazzo Lombardia, the official curtain was raised on the Italian Cycling Championships for Women and Under 23 to be held on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 in Darfo Boario Terme (BS). Welcoming the attendees was the President of Lombardy Region Attilio Fontana, who congratulated the organizers and emphasized the values of cycling. "Ours is a land of cycling, a sport that is an integral part of our identity and continues to passionate generations of Lombards. As a Region, we stand beside events that confirm Lombardy's leadership role in the cycling movement. Sport is good, and we will always support initiatives of this type".

After the recent Giro d'Italia stage ending in Cesano Maderno, Brianza, and looking ahead to the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, support for the event was also expressed by the Undersecretary for Sports and Youth of Lombardy Region Federica Picchi, the Regional Council President Federico Romani, regional councilors Paolo Franco (Housing and Social Housing) and Massimo Sertori (Local Authorities and Mountain), the President of Lombardy CONI Marco Riva. Priscilla Ziliani, representing the Mountain Community of Valle Camonica, highlighted how the national weekend will be a precious opportunity to enhance the territory.

A message was received from Roberto Pella, President of the Professional Cycling League: "I greet my friend Fontana, who in his Varese contributed to bringing the last Italian cycling world championship, and all present, particularly my 'vice president' Beppe Saronni (in the audience, next to another former professional Riccardo Magrini, ed). I'm happy that the National Women's Championship is part of the Regions Cup and will therefore enjoy almost two hours of live broadcast on Rai 2".

Then the floor went to Italian Cycling Federation (FCI) President Cordiano Dagnoni: "As Silvio Berlusconi used to say, to whom this beautiful room is dedicated, 'working among friends is better' and this is exactly the case. Ezio Maffi and his AS Boario are a guarantee. In Boario Terme on Friday, June 27, the federal council will also meet in view of a national weekend that will be a guaranteed spectacle. Good luck to all athletes who will compete for the three national jerseys up for grabs".

The Mayor of Boario Terme Dario Colossi demonstrated support for the event, stating: "Sport is one of the major drivers for our Region. Our city is an open-air gym, with a configuration and logistics perfect for organizing national and international races. For the future, I would like to bring a gravel race to our beautiful river park".

Always looking towards new challenges and ready to seize opportunities is Ezio Maffi, President of AS Boario, who explains how the national event was conceived: "In our history, organizing an Under 23 championship was the only thing missing. We are happy to fill this gap that since 2013, when I inherited this role from my father Augusto, was the only category we had not yet confronted. I thank the entire team working tirelessly and the sponsors; such results are the merit of everyone's commitment". Regarding the route, Maffi highlights the key points, well illustrated in the video in which Maria Giulia Confalonieri (Fiamme Oro), a Brianza police officer with the Norwegian Uno X team, takes us cycling with her. "The route resembles a Belgian classic. The Orcava climb is a novelty. It is scheduled once for the girls and twice for the boys. The 'wall' of Cornaleto 3 km from the finish will be a launching pad for those aiming for success. The route is open to every type of rider, but the winner will certainly be of value," predicts Maffi.

photos Tommaso Pelegalli - Sprint Cycling Agency