MILAN, January 19, 2024 - Italian cycling champion Martina Fidanza was a special guest at Technogym Milano on Thursday, January 18 as the new indoor cycling jersey for the Giro d’Italia Virtual was launched in collaboration with RCS Sport, Castelli and BKOOL. This is the third Giro d’Italia Virtual jersey - the first was released in 2021.

As the 24-year-old Fidanza, who rides for CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling Team, and two others cycled in the background, representatives of the companies involved in the event gave brief speeches: Anna Spigarolo, Sport Partnership Manager at Technogym, Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sport, Nekane Mimenza, Partnerships Manager at BKOOL, and former Italian professional cyclist Davide Viganò, who is currently Castelli's Sales Manager. 

Participants then had the chance to challenge themselves by pedaling 1 km on the Technogym Ride at maximum power and in the end the best performers (male and female) of the Challenge were rewarded. However, Mimenza urged attendees to register and take part in the Giro d’Italia Virtual 2023 hosted by BKOOL by completing the Oderzo-Val di Zoldo stage between January 19 and 30 for a chance to win a one-year BKOOL subscription, the Giro Virtual kit and many other prizes.

NON-COMPETITIVE GIRO D’ITALIA VIRTUAL The Giro d’Italia Virtual was developed by RCS Sport – a sport and media company organising some of Italy’s biggest sporting events including Giro d’Italia – and cycling simulator, BKOOL. It was designed by combining high-definition (HD) video footage - shot during the real stages of the race - with 3D simulation and is made up of several stages (or sessions). Since 2021 this non-competitive event has been offering cycling enthusiasts around the world an immersive experience of the thrills and emotions of the Corsa Rosa while riding their own smart bike at home. There are rankings for each stage and participants have the chance to train alongside cycling stars, compete with people from all over the world, and win fantastic prizes, including official Giro d’Italia jerseys and products. The 2023 edition of the Giro d’Italia Virtual is the latest. Interestingly, the Technogym Village was chosen for the arrival of stage 9 (Savignano on the Rubicone-Cesena) in the 2023 edition of the Giro d'Italia. 

TECHNOGYM RIDE The Challenge at Technogym Milano saw participants test their speed, strength and power with the Technogym Ride, the first bike with an integrated 22-inch screen that allows cyclists to conveniently access their favourite indoor training apps directly. The bike, which offers a unique training experience to both amateurs and professionals, was designed to simulate an outdoor cycling experience and replicate real routes and slopes. Technogym Ride, released in 2022, is equipped with a real gearbox and gives one an incredibly realistic pedaling feeling.

THE JERSEY According to Castelli, an Italian cycling clothing brand, the indoor jersey was made with a very light 3D-Mesh fabric that allows for the best air breathability while also ensuring maximum absorption and dispersion of sweat. Other features include a long zipper, a couple of back pockets plus its low collar and short waistline. It can also be used for outdoor bike rides on hot summer days.

TROFEO SENZA FINE One of the most iconic trophies in sports, the Trofeo Senza Fine (endless trophy), which since 1999 has been awarded to the winner of the more-than-a-century-old Giro d’Italia cycling race, was on display at Technogym Milano on Thursday evening. The names of all the winners since the first edition in 1909 are engraved on its spiral.

PARIS 2024 Technogym is an official supporter of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris and will provide technical fitness equipment. They will equip the gymnasium at the Olympic and Paralympic Athlete Villages and also supply 29 other facilities, including those at satellite centres in Lille, Marseilles and Tahiti.

Paris 2024 will be the seventh consecutive Summer Games and the ninth time overall that Technogym has provided equipment at the Olympics. The first time was at Sydney 2000 and since then, they have worked at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. In addition, they have also provided equipment at two Winter Olympic Games, Turin 2006 and Pyeongchang 2018.