Merida, FSA in deal

Manama : Ahead of the forthcoming Giro d’Italia, Team Bahrain Merida has announced an agreement with Full Speed Ahead (FSA), one of the world’s best known brand in the production of components both for road cycling and mountain biking.

The tailor-made package, will enable FSA and his guests to experience unforgettable moments close to athletes, staff and management of Team Bahrain Merida, on board the exclusive Hospitality Bus, at the departure of each stage and sometimes at the finish as well.

The multinational company already supports the team leaded by Vincenzo Nibali as technical sponsor, decided to seize the unique opportunity offered by the hospitality project, that will be developed during all the stages of the Giro.

“We’re excited about this agreement” says Maurizio Bellin, FSA European General Manager “For our company, the Giro is one of the most important events of the season and we will have the chance to be even closer to one of the leading teams we partner with and then to be privileged spectators. Our agents, distributors and VIP guests, can experience unforgettable emotions, with exclusive meet and greets with the riders, to take autographs in absolute tranquillity”.

Meanwhile, the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia starts on Friday and features 21 stages over 3,572km and starts in Sardinia with three stages, followed by two in Sicily and the remaining 16 on the Italian mainland and concluding with the final stage which sees the peloton arrive in Milan for the 76th time on May 28.

“It’s a very nice challenging route - says sport director Gorazd Štangelj - from the start to the finish in Milan. Distractions have not been allowed since the first stages in Sardinia and Sicily. Among the most important stages, the Foligno’s time trial and the one with the double climbing of Stelvio over 2000 meters’ altitude”.

Sports Director Paolo Slongo said, “Vincenzo Nibali and the whole team have prepared well including the recent Tour of Croatia and we are ready. The team was designed to help our solo leader Nibali and for this reason the group from the beginning of the season has always worked and ran with Vincenzo.”

The team comprises Vincenzo Nibali, Valerio Agnoli, Manuele Boaro, Enrico Gasparotto, Javier Moreno, Franco Pellizotti, Luka Pibernik, Kanstantsin Siutsou and Giovanni Visconti.