Great champions and RCS Sport – Crédit Agricole Italia Spring races

Crédit Agricole is the title sponsor of all RCS Sport classics for the second year.

The great spring cycling classics told in the words of the champions who raced and won them. Stories, anecdotes and fun facts were the elements of a talk show held on the stage of Le Village by Crédit Agricole in the centre of Milan. Giuseppe Saronni, Vincenzo Nibali, Filippo Pozzato, Moreno Moser and Marta Bastianelli talked and interacted with the CEO and Senior Country Officer of Crédit Agricole Italia, Giampiero Maioli, and the President of RCS MediaGroup, Urbano Cairo.

Quotes

Giampiero Maioli, CEO and Senior Country Officer of Crédit Agricole Italia: “A historic passion that has always involved and excited millions of Italians. Cycling goes far beyond the definition of a simple sport, it embodies values in which, as Crédit Agricole, we believe and concretely invest: inclusion, care for the environment, innovation, closeness to the new generations. The message we also want to convey, by accompanying the Italian Cycling Classics on Italian roads, is the fundamental importance of the transition towards an increasingly sustainable society. After last year’s success, we continue this partnership with RCS, and together we continue with our commitment to enhance the territories through events of international importance”.

Urbano Cairo, President of RCS MediaGroup: “The Classics are key events in the racing calendar that we organise. Having an important sponsor like Crédit Agricole supporting us is an added value. Cycling is a sport that is growing a lot. Races with a special appeal such as the Strade Bianche, which in just a few years has become a worldwide phenomenon, or the Milano-Sanremo, which I always went to see as a child, demonstrate the immense potential that this sport has”.

Giuseppe Saronni: “I have won three of these races but I must admit that I regret not having had a race like the Strade Bianche in my time. The victory I loved the most is the Milano-Sanremo won in the World Champion’s jersey. I was close several times, and that year I decided that I had to attack by anticipating the fastest men. It’s not easy to make the gap, I succeeded, as did Van der Poel last year. I also have good memories of Milano-Torino. The addition of Superga in the route was decisive because it allowed us to make selection by cutting out the big sprinters of the time”.

Vincenzo Nibali: “These historic events are highly coveted and attract a big crowd. The two consecutive Tirreno-Adriatico wins gave me confidence for the Grand Tours I won in the following years. Then in 2018 came the big day of Milano-Sanremo. It was a race that I had previously only touched and to which I had presented myself in the best condition ever. Plus it was a rainy and cold day, which suited me. In the finale I had to go for it. Winning was an emotion comparable to those I experienced when I won the Giro and the Tour”.

Filippo Pozzato: “The Tirreno-Adriatico is a race that has changed a lot over the years, in 2003 it had more stages dedicated to puncheurs and fewer uphill finishes. Even today it remains an ideal springboard for the classics. Winning Milano-Sanremo was the realisation of a dream, it was a race I had been following since I was a child. I always interpreted the finale differently, and managed to hit the big target in 2006”.

Moreno Moser: “I was an outsider when I won the Strade Bianche. I attacked ahead of the big favourites and also took advantage of the presence of Peter Sagan in the small group behind me. It was undoubtedly my most beautiful victory. I really appreciate the decision to increase the lenght, after so many years it allows the race to improve its status. The final circuit will also be a draw for the fans, who will be able to see more passages on iconic sections such as Le Tolfe and Colle Pinzuto”.

Marta Bastianelli: “The Strade Bianche is a fascinating race that represents the beauty of our country. It is a world-loved Classic and the introduction of the final circuit this year will make it look even more like the Classics of the North. I have raced it since the first edition and year after year it has improved a lot in quality, becoming a major appointment also for all the big names in women’s cycling”.