From an alchemy of four elements is born a livery unique in its kind to... embellish the roads of the Giro d'Italia. During Milan's Fuorisalone, at the Antica Fabbrica 14, the MAGMA AU109 was unveiled: the bicycle of Polti VisitMalta remains the same at a technical and component level, but will have a completely special appearance for the corsa rosa.

Four elements, as we said: the Italian Professional squad, naturally; then Aurum, the bike company owned by the team itself; alongside them Lechler, the Como-based paint and color company that has been producing the team's liveries for the past two years; finally, the major sponsorship novelty announced yesterday: StoneX Bullion, an international leader in the trading of gold and precious metals. The latter meeting was born from a sense of admiration: that of Ivan Basso, who last summer contacted Daniel Marburger, managing director of StoneX Bullion, a figure prominent not only in management but also in cycling ventures, including a crossing of the African continent that deeply impressed Basso.

From an initial dialogue came this "four-way" collaboration for the Giro: Lechler, organizer of the Urban Alchemy event that unveiled the golden livery, brought all its expertise and study of color to serve the golden touch that StoneX brought to the project. And what bikes better than Aurum (which in Latin means precisely "gold") to display this outfit? The name AU109 is self-explanatory and coherent: AU as the chemical symbol for gold, 109 as the edition number of the Giro d'Italia.

The team's other sponsors naturally didn't want to miss the event, but also cycling personalities like Alessandro Guerciotti attended. An audience fascinated both by the official launch of this bike and by Lechler's previous presentation of its chemical-alchemical-chromatic research, not only in cycling.

What exactly does this livery of the AURUM MAGMA AU109 that we'll see at the Giro consist of? Exclusive 24-karat gold leaf coating. Sophisticated workmanship where every finish and reflection generates a continuously transforming visual experience. Interaction with light that enhances the contrasts between the gold and three different shades of black, from glossy to carbon look, and the combination of brilliant and matte surfaces is designed to change dynamics and perceptions at every moment of the race.

Ivan Basso, Polti VisitMalta team principal: «AU109 is the perfect image of the direction we're building, a sporting project that strengthens vision and identity through valuable synergies. Welcoming with us an eternal symbol of excellence and beauty like gold means telling cycling not only as a sport, but also as an aesthetic expression. Bringing this bicycle to the Giro means telling not just a team, but an idea of development.»

His lifelong partner Alberto Contador echoes him: «I would have liked to try it first but Ivan and my brother Fran forbade me (laughs, ed.) but tomorrow I'll definitely use it. For our riders it will be an extra boost. We can't give them the perfect legs, but the best equipment yes!»

And here is Fran Contador, Polti VisitMalta general manager and CEO of Aurum: «Through these new partnerships and joint collaborations, our structure positions itself increasingly credibly as a communication and relationship platform for partners who share a vision made of innovation and shared quality. The Giro d'Italia represents the ideal context to tell this story, thanks to its extraordinary international visibility and unique ability to connect brands and audiences with pure emotion. With the MAGMA bike we have always sought maximum performance, with the AU109 livery we wanted to push further to leave a mark both on the race and beyond!»

Daniel Marburger, managing director of StoneX Bullion: «When Ivan first contacted me, I never would have thought it would be the beginning of a path that brought us here. We work every day with a material that has maintained its value over the centuries and is a symbol of vision beyond horizons and courage in facing challenges that not everyone would face. A perfect union of intentions with sport, with cycling and with team Polti VisitMalta in a legendary race like the Giro. If these bikes were to win a stage, it would be... iconic!»

Last but not least, the creators of all this, Lechler. General director Luciano Valli explained how «AU109 fully represents our approach: painting is not just technique, but culture of color and ability to transform matter by combining innovation and sensitivity» and president Aram Manoukian concluded in grand style: «Paint lives when it goes on a product, when you give a color you transmit a soul, our colors aim to achieve harmony».

Cover image by Maurizio Borserini, 2 gallery photos by Giulia De Maio