The Association of Italian Professional Cyclists was founded in 1946 and has since protected and promoted the professional athlete. For 80 years it has been committed to respect, integration, and participation of a category that was the first in Italy to recognize itself in a union, a model from which all other associations of sports workers in the country took shape.

To celebrate such an important milestone, ACCPI has told its story and its present with a collector's booklet that enthusiasts will be able to hold in their hands tomorrow at the Milano-Sanremo, the first Monument classic of the season. Presented as tradition dictates on the eve of the Classicissima, this precious publication created under the artistic direction and graphic support of the Jonny Mole agency, is even richer than usual precisely to celebrate this special birthday.

The ACCPI 2026 Vademecum features on its cover the faces of the champions who have made the history of Italian cycling and those who were protagonists in many union struggles, which led to the recognition of rights once not guaranteed to workers in the world of two wheels. From pioneers like Gino Bartali, Fausto Coppi and Alfonsina Strada to current protagonists of world road cycling such as Elisa Longo Borghini, Filippo Ganna and Jonathan Milan, passing through the presidents who have guided the riders' association up to today, none of the symbols of a history that turns 80 years old but is still entirely to be written are missing.

«Reading my name after those of Cino Cinelli, Fiorenzo Magni, Ercole Baldini, Angelo Lavarda, Alcide Cerato, Alvaro Crespi, Marco Cattaneo, Enrico Ingrillì and Amedeo Colombo always has a certain effect on me. Retracing the history of the union, admiring black and white photos featuring the myths of our sport and seeing them alongside excellences that are still among us and working hard for our members is a true emotion - comments ACCPI president Cristian Salvato. - This year's Vademecum is unique: it wants to give thanks to those who made the association what it is today and spur us to always do better for tomorrow's riders. On the back cover there is an appeal for road safety that calls for respect of traffic laws and the one-and-a-half meter safe passing distance for cyclists. Training risks are the most pressing concern for all of us and for anyone who uses a bicycle».

In addition to a celebratory section, which features photos from meetings attended by champions like Felice Gimondi, Marco Pantani, Alessandra Cappellotto, Giorgia Bronzini and Vincenzo Nibali, this year's ACCPI Vademecum collects everything you need to know about the Italian cycling movement, starting with the photos of individual cyclists in the top category, next to which space is reserved for their autograph. Useful for insiders and fans are the sections dedicated to teams, calendars, regulations, organizers, national and international institutions.

The only official text of the Italian cycling world is already browsable on the website www.accpi.it. Tomorrow you will be able to receive a printed copy in Pavia at the start of the Milano-Sanremo or in Genoa, where the Sanremo Women will depart. Happy reading and long live ACCPI.