She is graceful, very polite and a winner. And as of today, Tuesday, June 16th, she is also of legal age. Happy 18th birthday to Maria Acuti, born in Borgo Mantovano on June 16, 2008. The emerging talent of Italian women's cycling lives with her mother Barbara, father Gianmaria and her brother Simone (22 years old) in Ostiglia, a town in the Mantuan plain. "I got on a bike thanks to Simone," specifies Maria, a blonde with attentive brown eyes and a height of 181 centimeters. Some people celebrate their 18th birthday by attending debutante balls. Maria Acuti is living an important phase of the cycling season, is very professional and decided to celebrate her "18th" with a 100-kilometer training ride in the morning hours on the hills of Lake Garda. "During this period I need to put a lot of climbing kilometers in my legs, the Italian road championship is coming up." And she does it escorted by her father Gianmaria, a perfect pace-setter for her. "After training we'll have lunch, toast and eat cake at home," adds Maria, who recently completed her 4th year of high school in languages. "I'll receive gifts, naturally as surprises: those are always the most appreciated." Miss Acuti also has many friends: "With them I'll celebrate my 18th birthday later since several of my friends, in addition to studying, work and are busy all day. I'll dedicate time to them later, right now I'm thinking mainly about training."

The formidable time-trialist has already given herself some delicious gifts. Over the recent weekend she triumphed in the open challenge of the International Cycling Festival organized on the Marche coast by Vincenzo Santoni. In the open classification, junior Mary Acuti won ahead of Elite and Under 23 girls returning from the Giro d'Italia Women. In the Juniors classifications she achieved 3 beautiful victories in as many races. On Friday she triumphed in the time trial in Porto San Giorgio. On Saturday she won the circuit race in Porto San Giorgio, and on Sunday the one in Urbisaglia.

"Beyond being of legal age – emphasizes Marco Velo, coach of the national women's team – Maria is mature as an athlete. The results in the International Cycling Festival races prove it. Maria, happy birthday, here's to your 18th."

Now there are 7 victories for Maria in 2026 (including the International Cycling challenge). Miss Acuti is giving the Biesse-Carrera-Zambelli team beautiful satisfaction. Often in her career she has achieved time trial times lower than those of the best Elite riders. "This fills me with joy and I want to dedicate victories and performances to Biesse-Carrera-Zambelli. Owner Marco Zambelli, team manager Andrea Manzini and the other sponsors and officials are excellent. And I have magnificent teammates, always ready to help me. The dedications also go to my family; dad makes many sacrifices to follow me in races and training, mom takes care of me in the best way. And thanks again to Simone for passing on to me the passion for cycling."

The newly-of-age rider is also grateful to the development teams that helped her grow: Velo Club Sovico, Vangi, Oglio-Po, Valcar. Mary has been winning on road, track and cyclocross since she was in kindergarten. In competitive categories her Italian Championships in her palmares are 5, and the number could increase soon. Saturday afternoon the Juniors will compete for the Italian road title in Sora, on the roads of the historic "La Ciociarissima" race. Maria will be labeled as a favorite. She is enthusiastic and focused, aware that her opponents won't make gifts. Then there will be international competitions on road and track to think about.

"At international level – she states – my first major objective of the season is the Junior European Track Championships. I hope to win medals in the individual pursuit with the quartet. Individual and team pursuit have always been my favorite specialties."

Last year at her major international debut she came close to winning medals at the Europeans and Worlds. "After the track Europeans I'll also think about the European and World road Championships. I'll try to deserve the attention of the national team." It's safe to bet that the number of road victories will grow significantly from now until mid-October. "Apart from races valid for national or international titles, all the others count the same way and I'll try to honor them, for me and the officials of Biesse-Carrera-Zambelli." Very kind Maria, many more happy returns.