The official presentation of the 2026 season for Team Autozai Contri took place in an atmosphere of genuine enthusiasm, bringing together athletes, families, sponsors, institutions and cycling enthusiasts to inaugurate the new sporting year and share vision, objectives and prospects.

The evening was opened by newly appointed president Filippo Padovani: "I am very moved and proud to be here today in the role of president of this historic team. Our young riders' dream is to become professionals one day, and I am confident that the entire Autozai Contri staff will do their utmost to help them achieve it."

The evening featured representatives from the Italian Cycling Federation – Verona Committee with Diego Zoccatelli and Trento Committee with Renato Beber – alongside Alberto Michetti, Verona's CONI representative.

Closing the institutional speeches was Verona's mayor, Damiano Tommasi, who emphasized: "Sporting activity is always demanding, especially when working with young people: it is a sowing whose harvest we cannot know in advance. We give our best, but the contribution of the entire territory – institutions, companies, enthusiasts and media – is essential to support this journey. We hope that a society with such important tradition and history can achieve significant results and, at the same time, contribute to the growth of many young people capable of making Italian sport great in the future."

General Manager Enrico Mantovanelli then traced Autozai Contri's growth, recalling: "When I joined this organization in 2017, the goal was to restore the financial situation and bring the team back to the level it deserves. Important work was done, made possible thanks to sponsors who believed in the project and supported us on this journey. On the sporting front, we thoroughly renewed the staff: Fausto Boreggio's help allowed us to make a qualitative leap and, together with him, we built a competent and well-structured working group, capable of properly following these seventeen young riders. Special thanks go to the families, who entrust us with their sons with great confidence. We know that difficult moments will not be lacking during the season, but it is precisely in challenges that we grow. For this reason, we ask you to continue supporting us, to allow the coaches to work with peace of mind and to give the young riders the opportunity to experience sport with enthusiasm and enjoyment."

Team Manager Fausto Boreggio then presented the technical staff and outlined the work approach: "We have been working since December, organized in two groups, and the first results were seen especially during the training camp in Spain. The young riders have grown significantly: the road will tell us how well we have worked, but we have done everything possible to present ourselves ready for the start of the season. We expect a lot from the confirmed athletes, because we believe they have the qualities to make a further qualitative leap. At the same time, we have chosen to invest in the younger riders: eleven first-year athletes, called upon to prove they deserve this category. During the season, everyone will have their opportunities to stand out and demonstrate their value."

Enriching the moment was the intervention of the "EDP Captain" Massimiliano Riccio, who shared his impressions of the recent training camp in Spain, which he described as fundamental for consolidating the group and refining fitness ahead of the first races.

The heart of the evening was dedicated to the presentation of the athletes, welcomed on stage with music and enthusiasm. Each one shared ambitions, inspirations and emotions, conveying the image of a cohesive and determined group.

The 2026 roster consists of: Ludovico Affini, Gabriele Bertagnoli, Xavier Bordignon, Tommaso Bottaro, Filippo Casagrande, Lorenzo Ceccarello, Gianmaria Chinello, Alberto Donà, Andrea Furlanis, Filippo Grigolini, Thomas Mariotto, Mathias Paludetti, Marco Pierotto, Edoardo Riccadona, Federico Ros, Manuel Salmaso and Davide Zanei.

Testifying to the solidity of the project were video messages from figures of reference in national and international cycling: the Italian national team coach Edoardo Salvoldi, Edoardo Affini from Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Filippo Zana from Soudal Quick-Step and Luca Mozzato from Tudor Pro Cycling Team. Also present in the room were greetings from Giovanni Lonardi and Alessio Magagnotti, great former members of the Verona team, confirming a concrete link between the youth sector and professional cycling.

A particularly significant moment was the celebration of thirty years of sponsorship by Contri Spumanti, which received a plaque from president Padovani and honorary president Gianni Tebaldo.

Autozai renewed its confidence, with the presence of Nicola Vighini, and the new partnership with Allianz Bank Financial Advisors – West Triveneto Area, represented by Stefano Brugnoli, was officially announced: "At Allianz, we strongly believe in the values of sport and are happy to support a team with this history that is committed to developing young people."

The evening concluded with official photos and a convivial aperitif that symbolically launched the new competitive season. The objective is clear: to be protagonists on the road and, at the same time, to continue forming aware, determined athletes capable of proudly representing the territory.