A stylish vernissage in Pescara, in the council chamber of the Municipality, officially kicked off the countdown to the 78th Trofeo Matteotti. Pescara and Montesilvano are therefore preparing to experience a great day of sport on Sunday, September 13, with the streets ready to transform once again into the natural stage of the Abruzzese classic. In the presence of top political authorities, sports institutions, sponsors and the press, the highlight event of the international cycling calendar in Abruzzo was unveiled, a historic event that has always identified and united the sport of cycling with the entire Abruzzo region.

Leading the organizational machinery is the Fernando Perna Cycling Union under president Stefano Giuliani who, in recent years, has managed to transform the face of this classic, projecting it towards very high organizational standards. Adding special value to the vernissage was the presence of the guest of honor and exceptional patron Francesco Moser, the legendary Trentino champion who boasts three victories in the Pescara race's honor roll (1975, 1976 and 1978).

Completing 13 laps of a 15-kilometer circuit each, the technical and selective route, capable of alternating flat city stretches and repeated climbs on the Hills (with particular reference to the ascents of via Tiberi in the Basilica Madonna dei Sette Dolori area, Colle Scorrano and Montesilvano Colle), together with the quality of the teams present and a cast of the highest level, are the ingredients of a challenge that promises battle, emotions and spectacle, destined to give enthusiasts a day of great cycling with some of the best formations in the world panorama ahead of the world championship appointment at the end of September in Montreal, Canada.

Stefano Giuliani, president of the Fernando Perna Cycling Union: "There are races that are organized and others that are part of one's history. The Trofeo Matteotti, for an Abruzzese, is one of these. I saw it as a child from the roadside, I raced it several times as a professional, I followed it in the team car as a sports director and, in just a few years, I've seen it grow as technical director and currently as president of the organizing committee. Taking over from Daniele Sebastiani, I have the privilege of contributing to this history, with full awareness of the responsibility this role entails. I am proud to be a child of this race, of its charm and of that passion that every year brings cycling back to the heart of Pescara and throughout Abruzzo. We have raised the bar every year, my measure is the public. Saturday we dedicate to children in Piazza della Rinascita and then Sunday will be for the adults. After the pandemic we began to give new momentum to this race and in recent times we are finding the great names of cycling again. Among the entries are Lorenzo Mark Finn, Giulio Pellizzari, Jai Hindley, Damiano Caruso and Jan Christen to name just a few".

Francesco Moser: "It's an emotion to return to the Matteotti, I have great memories of when it was raced in summer with the heat; the year of the Italian championship I raced it in June before the Tour de France. In the past, the Matteotti was for Abruzzese people a true 'home world championship'. My relationship with Abruzzo is special, a bond that has lasted for decades as well as the friendship with Stefano Giuliani who was my teammate. It was the race with which you started preparing for the World Championship, where everyone put themselves in the spotlight to be called up with the national team of the late technical commissioner Alfredo Martini. This year, even though there is the overlap with the Vuelta of Spain, it is still a reference race for Italian and foreign riders ahead of the World Championship".

Nazario Pagano, president of the Constitutional Affairs Commission of the Chamber of Deputies: "The Trofeo Matteotti is a wonderful sports story. Organizing an international race of this level is a privilege and a source of pride for the UC Fernando Perna, projecting Pescara and Abruzzo into an increasingly international dimension".

Carlo Masci, mayor of Pescara: "The Trofeo Matteotti is an icon of cycling in our Pescara and special thanks go to general secretary Dino Renzetti, who puts his heart into every occasion for the race. The Matteotti is the symbol of a Pescara that is reborn and increasingly passionate about cycling".

Patrizia Martelli, sports assessor for the Municipality of Pescara: "Thanks to the Abruzzo Region for its support, to the entire organizing committee of UC Perna, to the volunteers and fans who represent the Matteotti. Stefano Giuliani has been able to convey to everyone the importance of organizing this race for the city of Pescara, for Abruzzo and for the love of cycling. The Matteotti is not just history but future, looking to the next generations with a promotional event dedicated to children on the eve of the race".

Valentina Di Felice, budget assessor for the Municipality of Montesilvano: "Congratulations to the organizers of the Fernando Perna Cycling Union and to Stefano Giuliani with whom we have been in continuous dialogue to ensure the excellent success of the event. For those who experience the day of the Matteotti, many people flock to Montesilvano Colle for a great moment of sociality and sharing. With our Local Police under commander Nicolino Casale we will do excellent work for the safety of the race. Every year it does not fail to remember our fellow citizen, former cyclist, Fabio Taborre. We look forward to seeing you on the morning of September 13 with the cycling walk that will add an extra touch to the entire day, before we enjoy the spectacle of the professionals".

Giorgio Fraccastoro, president of S.A.G.A.: "We are honored to participate for the first time as a sponsor and, for this reason, we want to dedicate an ad hoc prize to the best young rider who will cross the finish line wishing him a 'good takeoff'. Abruzzo Airport wanted to seize a great opportunity for international visibility thanks to the prestigious showcase of a cycling event with great tradition like the Trofeo Matteotti".

Giorgio De Luca, president of the Province of Pescara: "As a Province we are close to this event that has crossed more than 80 years of our history and which, since 1945, continues to tell the story of Pescara, our province and Abruzzo through sport. For this reason I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the Fernando Perna Cycling Union and to all those who revolve around the organization, allowing this great tradition to renew itself".

Lorenzo Sospiri, president of the Abruzzo Regional Council: "It is a race that has always been at the highest level, alternating moments of difficulty with moments of maximum glory. Thanks to Stefano Giuliani who puts passion into organizing more than he did when racing. Thanks also to assessor Patrizia Martelli, the true soul and binding force of this event. On behalf of the Abruzzo Region, support for the Matteotti will always be there, for a better edition each year".

With the intervention of Renato Ricci, honorary president of UC Fernando Perna and for years patron of the race, emphasizing its historical value and strong connection to the territory, together with Stefano Giuliani, he presented a special recognition to the Velò broadcast, a point of reference for the coverage of local and national cycling on Rete8. Receiving the plaque were Luciano Rabottini, creator of the program, and Jacopo Forcella, host of the broadcast, as testimony to the great media support that accompanies the Abruzzese classic towards the appointment on September 13.

The presentation also received greetings from Gianfranco Ulisse of Tenuta Ulisse, among the main official sponsors of the race, and on the sports front from Mauro Marrone (vice president vicarious CONI Abruzzo and regional president FCI Abruzzo) and Maurizio Formichetti (new provincial delegate CONI Chieti).

At the starting line are 22 teams and raising the level of the 78th edition are the World Tour teams with UAE Team Emirates (team of outgoing winner Isaac Del Toro), Red Bull – Bora Hansgrohe, Team Jayco AlUla, XDS Astana Team, Bahrain Victorious, Uno-X Mobility, Movistar Team and Groupama FDJ. Completing the picture are the professional teams TotalEnergies, Caja Rural Seguros RGA, Burgos Burpellet BH, Polti VisitMalta, Solution Tech-Vini Fantini, Kern Pharma, Bardiani CSF 7Saber, MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort, Euskaltel Euskadi and Unibet Rockets Team, plus Team Technipes #inemiliaromagna, MG K Vis Costruzioni e Ambiente, General Store Essegibi F.lli Curia and Vega Vitalcare Dynatek in the Continental category.

There are many good reasons to be present along the route with three strategic meeting points: Piazza della Rinascita in Pescara, which will host the official presentation of the teams and the warm embrace of fans with the champions before the start; Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi to applaud the protagonists during the passages and witness the consecration of the winner; Montesilvano Colle, the pulsating heart and most picturesque part of the climb, where the aroma of arrosticini will accompany the moment to cheer on the athletes in the crucial phases of the entire race.

Finally, the Trofeo Matteotti looks to the future by promoting the values of sport among the youngest: successfully tested last year, the afternoon of Saturday, September 12 will be entirely dedicated to children with a cycling gymkhana in Piazza della Rinascita, a special appointment designed to involve families and introduce new generations to the charm of cycling in anticipation of the great Sunday race.