Mapei, world leader in the production of chemical products for construction and a company that has always been close to the world of cycling, announces its partnership with A.S.D. Franco Ballerini on the occasion of the first edition of "La Franco Ballerini", three days of cycling scheduled for June 12-14, 2026 in Pistoia.

"La Franco Ballerini"
The event will be a weekend dedicated to the memory of the unforgettable athlete and to promoting the values of sport, through a calendar that combines solidarity and territory. The initiative will kick off with a charity dinner at the Meyer Hospital in Florence, with guests and protagonists from the cycling world, in support of a reality that symbolizes excellence. Following that, a day dedicated to youth racing and the first Ciclostorica organized by the Association. The three-day event will conclude on Sunday, June 14, 2026 with the 1st Granfondo "La Franco Ballerini", which will traverse the Tuscan areas where Franco used to train.

A bond that goes beyond sport
The relationship between Mapei and Franco Ballerini has its roots in the golden years of Team Mapei, when "Ballero", as he was affectionately nicknamed, achieved among many victories, the Paris-Roubaix in 1995 and 1998. A name forever etched in the history of world cycling and in that of Mapei. After retiring from racing in 2001, Ballerini continued to link his name with the company before embarking on his career as Technical Commissioner of the Italian National team, a role he held with the same passion and dedication until the day of his passing.

Honoring a champion, inspiring the future
The partnership with A.S.D. Franco Ballerini, founded by his sons Gianmarco and Matteo to keep his father's memory alive, represents for Mapei a natural gesture of continuity and affection towards a figure who embodied the most authentic values of the company and of sport: passion, determination and team spirit.

"Franco Ballerini is an integral part of Mapei's history and Italian cycling - declares Veronica Squinzi, Chief Executive Officer of the Mapei Group -. Standing alongside his sons in this project is an honor and a sincere commitment for us. Through this partnership, we want to contribute to keeping his memory alive and to pass on his example to the new generations of riders."

"We are deeply grateful to Mapei, and particularly to Veronica Squinzi, for choosing to stand by us in this meaningful project - adds Gianmarco Ballerini, President of the Association -. This partnership is for us a gesture of affection and continuity towards a sporting history that belongs to all of us."

The event was conceived and created by Franco's sons to remember the former champion and National team C.T. with dedicated initiatives that will involve both competitive and amateur cyclists. Mapei's collaboration will support all the association's activities related to the event, in the spirit of those shared values that for years united "Ballero" and Mapei.