Tomorrow, Friday, May 15th, the seventh stage Formia-Blockhaus 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 cycling along the stage route.

BLOCKHAUS, THE STAGE OF COURAGE

In this fourth stage of 2026, Alessandro Ballan and Dalia Muccioli, protagonists of some of the most significant pages in the history of Italian cycling, will ride alongside the participants along a route that evokes the legend of Blockhaus, one of the hardest and most symbolic climbs of the pink race. Here courage takes on the most authentic meaning of cycling: facing difficulty without retreating, continuing even when the road becomes more challenging. Blockhaus has always been the theater of attacks, reversals, and memorable feats, such as that of Francesco Moser in 1984, when on the Abruzzo climb he conquered the pink jersey, managing to put the favorite Laurent Fignon in difficulty on one of the decisive days of his Giro d'Italia. The meeting point is scheduled at the Banca Mediolanum stand on Via della Stazione in Scafa at 11:30 AM, with the ride departing at 12:00 PM. The finish is expected on Blockhaus, on the same line that shortly after will see the first high mountain challenge of this year's pink race. The initiative is organized by the Family Banker Office in Chieti, a place of value and custodian of relationships, where listening and trust have always represented the principles at the foundation 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 Abruzzo, where it now has 15 Family Banker Offices, 119 consultants, and over 28,000 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", this 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, Fondazione Renato Piatti, and Angsa APS ETS. "Towards Autonomy" is aimed at children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders, with the goal of accompanying them in developing communication, 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 capabilities and basic autonomy skills, together with dedicated support for families, to assist them in daily management and reduce their emotional burden. This year too, 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 awareness among the public throughout the national territory, bringing the project's message to people and promoting a culture of inclusion and autonomy.