An evening that speaks of growth, maturity, and new ambitions. The Veneto Project Team has officially presented the 2026 season in an atmosphere that clearly reflects the moment of the organization: no longer a gamble in its infancy, but a project that has already taken root and now wants to establish itself among the leading realities in the elite and under 23 landscape.

At the Why Center in Schio, the event's headquarters, the focus was first and foremost on identity. The idea behind the Veneto Project Team was born from the Santello family together with Gianluca Mengardo, an intuition transformed into a concrete structure through passion, expertise, and relationships built over time. Today the organization is led by president Emanuel Gottardo, an entrepreneur and former cyclist who wanted to take on a different role, supported by vice president and trainer Paolo Santello, considered by many to be the technical soul of the project.

Working with them are secretary and general manager Gianluca Mengardo and treasurer and sports director Matteo Santello, in an organization that in recent months has defined roles and responsibilities with greater clarity. The sports department can rely on an articulated technical staff, made up of sports directors Damiano Albertin, Andrea Caco, Gionata Favero, and Nevio Millo, figures who follow the boys' development on a daily basis, while on the operational and organizational front the contribution of Diego Babolin and Tommaso Mantovan ensures constant presence and availability.

But the true asset of the Veneto Project Team is its ten athletes. Presented one by one, in alphabetical order, they received applause from the room: Marco Artuso, Alessio Babolin, Daniele Babolin, Marco Bortolaso, Paolo Festini, Mattia Foschi, Luca Graziotto, Filippo Romani, Riccardo Ruffin, and Martino Zavan. A heterogeneous group in terms of technical characteristics and backgrounds, but united by the same desire to grow.

The season has already begun with the first two outings at the Coppa San Geo and the Mugello, important stages to immediately measure themselves against a high level. On Sunday the team was engaged at Fucecchio, another opportunity to test legs and ambitions. Compared to last year, something has changed. If in 2025, being at their debut, it happened that they were looked at with a hint of skepticism or didn't immediately receive space in the races that matter, today the perception is different.

Invitations to the most important competitions are arriving, and this, it was emphasized during the evening, means that the work done has been recognized. It's not just a matter of results, but of credibility built step by step.

Fundamental in this journey is the support of sponsors, publicly thanked and cited in alphabetical order: Bozzolan & Santello, Coccato Assicurazioni, Croma, Fornasiero, New Life Solution, Passione – technical partner and mechanic supplier Scott – and Why Sport, a reality that with the Why Center represents a reference point for logistics and organization for the team. A support that allows for continuous planning, guaranteeing the boys adequate resources and organizational peace of mind.

The presence of guests was also numerous and qualified, a sign of a network of relationships that goes beyond the single team. Among those present were Alessio Trabuio, FCI race director and cycling event organizer, Matteo Busatto, president of the fan club dedicated to his brother Francesco, now a professional, Marco Trentin, team manager of the Wilier Vittoria Mtb Factory Team, Walter Costa, an experienced technician, Simone Manocchi, consultant and enthusiast, former World Tour professional Marco Marcato now sports director, Elvis Martinazzo, attentive observer of the movement, Pierangelo Schiralli, official voice of Schio's basketball family, and Aldo Munarini, sports assessor for the Municipality of Schio. The final message was clear: this project belongs to everyone.

Athletes, technicians, managers, sponsors, supporters, and families are part of a shared journey that aims to grow with seriousness and ambition. The Veneto Project Team doesn't want to rush things, but to build solid foundations to last over time, with the pride of those who know they represent a territory and can still raise the bar.