Matteo Bianchi grew up and matured on the roads of Laives, the same roads that, in just over two weeks, will host the 2026 Italian Junior and Youth Road Cycling Championships. The talented athlete born in 2001, a key figure in the sprint discipline of the Italian track team, pedaled the championship routes with young Alto Adige athletes: some of them, on Saturday July 4th and Sunday July 5th, will have the honor of competing at home in the most important event of the season.

"A wonderful opportunity, I'm a bit envious of them," comments Matteo Bianchi. "Being able to participate in an Italian championship on home roads will give great motivation to all of them, and my hope is that they can make the most of this beautiful occasion. I don't feel like giving tactical advice: I tell the guys to have fun, to put determination and maximum effort in the saddle to bring home the best possible result."

How did he find the race course? "I know that the Libertas Laives staff always tries to create competitive races," replies Bianchi. "In my opinion, the course lends itself to this type of racing—intense and demanding."

The Italian track rider has started the 2026 season well, winning a significant bronze medal at the beginning of the year in team sprint at the European Championships. A joy shared with his fellow countryman Mattia Predomo, an athlete who grew up in Libertas Laives. How will his season continue? "In July we'll have some international races," replies Bianchi, a highly decorated specialist in the standing kilometer and the first Italian ever to break the one-minute barrier in this discipline. "In October, then, we'll have the World Championships, the first Olympic qualification event. The Los Angeles 2028 Games are the big goal, mine and that of the entire Italian track sprint team."

Accompanying Bianchi and the Alto Adige athletes during the course inspection was the entire staff of the Alto Adige/Südtirol FCI Committee Representative team, led by technical director Roberto Valentini. "First of all, we must compliment Libertas Laives for deciding to take on this important challenge and for the work they are doing," comments Valentini. "The race course, in my opinion, is interesting from a technical standpoint, with many attacking sections. Some think it's an easy course, but I don't think so. As always, it will be the riders who will make it easy, difficult, or very demanding."

The organizing committee of the Italian Championships "Laives 2026" has been working diligently for months. Paolo Endrizzi, president of the organizing society, provides an update on the situation. "We're dealing with the final details, with a particular focus always on safety, an aspect we consider crucial and of primary importance," explains Endrizzi. "We'll arrive ready and prepared for the event, and I believe there are all the conditions in place for a great competition."

For an entire weekend, Laives will be the capital of youth cycling. "The Italian Championships represent an important showcase for our society and for the town of Laives," adds Endrizzi. "A wonderful opportunity to boost the Alto Adige and regional cycling movement. In this regard, we want to extend our thanks now to the Municipality of Laives, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, and the Region for their support, but a big 'thank you' also goes to all the sponsors and, not least, to all the people and organizations that, on a voluntary basis, have provided help and support, dedicating their time to the success of the event."