Cycling could not be missing even from the 27th edition of the Sports Loyalty Award scheduled for Monday, October 12 at the Artè Theatre in Capannori. This time its representative comes from Sweden: Glenn Magnusson. A cyclist who captured the attention of sports enthusiasts in the final 100 meters of sprint finishes, thanks to his extraordinary explosiveness and top speed in the final meters.

His memorable victories were recorded especially at the Giro d'Italia when between 1996 and 1998 he won three stages beating Mario Cipollini at the sprint and this alone made headlines because it was not easy to surpass and on three occasions the strongest sprinter of all time in the world, who got his start as a young rider in the Fanini team just like the Swedish sprinter.

Magnusson was also launched by Ivano Fanini, who at that time had an eye for talented young riders, bringing them to Segromigno Piano to begin their cycling careers. The Swede requested residency permission like many young riders from other 43 countries at that time. He burst onto the scene in the Fanini team as an amateur, winning the Swedish national road championship and turned professional with Amore e Vita at the age of 27. Beyond the three stages won at the Giro, among his most important successes were also the fourth stage and the overall classification at the Giro di Puglia. Those were roaring years for Team Fanini and Magnusson was one of its main protagonists.

THIRD GOLDEN SPHINX
The Swede is the third golden sphinx to be awarded, after the committee with the Award's founder Valter Nieri, Claudio Dania and Luca Tronchetti had already drawn the names of Gianpiero Marini and Luca Lucaroni, the greatest speed skater of all time in the world. But contacts continue to form an exceptional cast this year as well for an award that has united generations of champions who distinguished themselves for their sporting results and their personalities. Magnusson thus enters a prestigious list that also includes 16 cycling world champions and forty Olympic champions.

Says Pierluigi Castellani, president of Cycling Team, the organizing company: "Magnusson represents, thanks to his historic victories in the Fanini jersey, with pride the province of Lucca at national and international level. One of the most successful athletes, along with three-time track world champion Claudio Golinelli, always registered with Team Fanini".

The municipality of Capannori has represented over half a century one of the beating hearts and source of deep pride for Tuscan and national cycling tradition.