Anna Bonassi returns to the Oscar tuttoBICI stage two years after her first appearance: in 2023, the Brescia athlete had triumphed in the rookie category and is now ready to claim the Mapei Sport Grand Prix dedicated to Junior Girls. Her victory was a sprint finish, just as she loves, but most importantly, a success that tastes of redemption and prepares her for the big jump to the junior category.

After a spectacular 2023 culminating in the Oscar victory, unfortunately Anna's 2024 did not go as she had hoped. Her goals and expectations were high, but due to mononucleosis contracted in March, she had to stop, and when she finally could get back on the bike, it was too late. Last winter, she made a total reset, choosing a new coach, Andrea Rigoni, and with him she joined the FandresLove Fiorenzo Magni where she began a completely new, but most importantly, fun adventure.

"I dreamed of this season. My 2024 was a disaster, and I thought I was no longer capable of making a difference. Then Andrea became my coach, a new team was born, and between one training session and another, I started having fun again. A great group was formed immediately. We weren't thinking about winning, but about performing well in every race, building solid bonds, and then successes came as a consequence. I believe that in these categories, one should not chase success at all costs, but rather enjoy and appreciate everything about this sport," Anna explains, who has returned to smiling, achieving 13 victories and regaining confidence in herself.

Anna Bonassi has experienced many things during her explosive 2025, numerous races, many victories, but the one she remembers most fondly is the one obtained in the road race of the Youth Olympic Games held at the end of July. Wearing the azzurra jersey was a gigantic emotion, and managing to win was something she could never have imagined. In the over 40°C summer heat of Macedonia, Anna imposed herself in a sprint finish, bringing home a special title, a victory to remember especially for that somewhat crazy adventure for which she almost didn't make it to the start.

"The call came unexpectedly, and I even thought it was a joke. On the day of departure, I was super excited, I set off towards Rome, and once there, surprise: I had left my ID at home and couldn't leave. So I returned to Brescia by train, missed the opening ceremony, and took the only available flight, which unfortunately involved a 7-hour layover in Vienna," Anna tells us. "It was a crazy journey, fortunately Silvia Epis was with me, who was also pregnant. Thanks to her, I never lost heart, even when things weren't going well and I thought I wasn't capable of racing. It was a special experience that I carry in my heart, and I hope one day to wear the azzurra jersey again."

Anna is in love with cycling and hopes to make it a career in the future. She approached cycling out of curiosity, carefully watching people passing on the slope in front of her house and wondering about that strange vehicle different from a Mountain Bike.

"I've always been very curious, and when I was about 5 years old, I was fascinated by boys and men riding up the little hill in front of my house. Their bikes had very narrow wheels, and it all seemed so absurd and impossible to me. Then one day, I discovered a small sports festival designed to let kids try new sports. My father took me, and once I got on the bike, I never wanted to get off. At my first race in mid-July, I won among the females and came sixth among the males. I was six years old, and I still remember that special race. That's where it all began."

Anna doesn't yet know what kind of athlete she might become, but she's strong in sprints and handles short climbs well, somewhat like Mathieu Van der Poel, one of her favorite riders. Her dream races are Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders, but she would like to be at the start of a World Championship and who knows, maybe one day participate in a Grand Tour and take home the points jersey. Meanwhile, she continues to grow step by step, combining road racing with track cycling, where she has already won two Italian titles in 2024 in speed and in 2025 in keirin.

Next year, Anna Bonassi will debut in the Junior category. The team will remain FlandresLove Fiorenzo Magni, but what will change are the routes, distances, and especially the competitors.

"I admit I'm a bit nervous, but I can't wait to start. I'm curious to discover my level, and who knows, it would be nice to win already," says the Brescia native before saying goodbye. Meanwhile, she prepares for her big debut and between training sessions, she listens to her favorite artists, a mix of American music and the "bosses" Gue Pequeno and Marracash.

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OSCAR TUTTOBICI WOMEN JUNIOR CATEGORY HONOR ROLL

2005    Giada Borgato
2006    Valentina Scandolara
2007    Rossella Callovi
2008    Giulia Donato
2009    Rossella Ratto
2010    Natasha Grillo
2011    Sara Wackermann
2012    Sara Wackermann
2013    Elisa Balsamo
2014    Elisa Balsamo
2015    Letizia Paternoster
2016    Vittoria Guazzini
2017    Eleonora Gasparrini
2018    Eleonora Gasparrini
2019    Francesca Barale
2020    Eleonora Ciabocco
2021    Federica Venturelli
2022    Chantal Pegolo
2023    Linda Sanarini
2024    Maria Acuti
2025    ANNA BONASSI