On Wednesday, May 13, the fifth stage Praia a Mare-Potenza of the 109th Giro d'Italia will be preceded by a new edition of "A Tour Within the Tour", an amateur cycling initiative dedicated to clients and cycling enthusiasts, organized by Banca Mediolanum along the route of the pink race. In 2026, Banca Mediolanum renews, for the 24th consecutive year, its support for the Giro d'Italia as the official sponsor of the Mountain Prize, confirming its bond with the Azure Jersey and with one of the most followed and participated sporting events in the country. "A Tour Within the Tour" offers participants the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the race up close, anticipating the passage of the professionals and pedaling along the stage route.

POTENZA, THE STAGE OF CARE

In this second stage, Paolo Bettini, Alessandro Ballan and Maurizio Fondriest, protagonists of some of the most iconic pages of Italian cycling, will pedal alongside the participants along a route that leads from the Calabrian coast towards the Lucanian hinterland, where the territory preserves a strong sense of community and lasting relationships. In Basilicata, care translates into the ability to accompany and take charge of people over time: a value that lives in daily gestures and that accompanies this new stage of the Giro, once again confirming the deep bond between Banca Mediolanum and the territories crossed by the pink race. The meeting point is scheduled at the Banca Mediolanum stand in Piazza Zara, in Potenza, at 11:30 AM, with the cycling ride departing at 11:55 AM. The finish is expected in Potenza, on the same line that shortly after will see the professionals' challenge decided, at the end of a short but eventful route. The initiative is organized by the Family Banker Office in Potenza, a place of value and custodian of relationships, where listening and trust have always represented the principles at the base of Banca Mediolanum's consulting model. Over the last 24 years, this bond has translated into an increasingly widespread presence in the territory: Banca Mediolanum has grown in Basilicata, where today it has 2 Family Banker Offices, 12 consultants and almost 4,000 clients (Data source: Banca Mediolanum Business Intelligence office as of 04/30/2026). A growth that is not only numerical, but an expression of a relationship built over time based on being a community.

"TOWARDS AUTONOMY" THE MEDIOLANUM FOUNDATION PROJECT FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

In 2026, Mediolanum Foundation renews its commitment to minors by supporting "Towards Autonomy", the year's new fundraising initiative. The project was created to guarantee 152 minors on the autism spectrum and their families a complete, coherent and continuous growth path, in collaboration with three reference organizations: Anffas Nazionale ETS APS, Renato Piatti Foundation and Angsa APS ETS. "Towards Autonomy" is aimed at children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders, with the objective of accompanying them in the growth of communicative, relational and personal skills, promoting the achievement of the widest possible degree of self-determination. The project includes educational, workshop and experiential activities, aimed at increasing self-management skills and basic autonomy, together with dedicated support for families, to assist them in daily management and reduce their emotional burden. Once again this year, Mediolanum Foundation will double the first 60,000 euros collected, contributing to expanding the impact of the initiative. The Giro d'Italia will be an opportunity to raise public awareness throughout the national territory, bringing the project's message to people and promoting a culture of inclusion and autonomy.