Allianz Umana Mente Foundation to support Fisdir-Fci Faumcup 2025 inclusive cycling championships

Ufficio Stampa Allianz

The FISDIR-FCI FAUMCUP inclusive cycling project is kicking off for the second consecutive year. FAUMCUP was born in 2024 from the collaboration between the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation, the main expression of the Allianz Group’s social responsibility initiatives in Italy, the Italian Cycling Federation-FCI, and the Italian Federation of Intellectual-Relational Paralympic Sports-FISDIR, with the aim of also allowing athletes with disabilities belonging to categories II1 (athletes with recognized intellectual disabilities), II2 (athletes with Down Syndrome), II3 (high-functioning autistic athletes), IIQ (all other athletes with intellectual disabilities not included in the classification established by Virtus – World Intellectual Impairment Sport), to perform competitive cycling activities.

Before FAUMCUP, athletes with such disabilities could only carry out promotional activities (skill tests) or demonstration activities (forerunners in competitive events), now, however, this initiative allows everyone, no one excluded, to join the world of two wheels. “We are proud to support the second edition of FAUMCUP, a project that we feel is ours from the very beginning and that continues to open up new avenues in cycling, offering more and more opportunities for inclusion to athletes with intellectual and relational disabilities,” said Maurizio Devescovi, General Manager of Allianz S.p.A. and President of the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation.

After the success of the two stages of last year’s FISDIR-FCI FAUMCUP Italian Championships, the 2025 edition officially restarted on June 28 from Meda, with the first regional event of the season. The initiative, organized by CUS Pro Patria Milano Triathlon A.S.D., brought together a group of 15 male and female athletes from all over Italy, ready to compete in an exciting road race. The race took place inside the Meda cyclodrome, along a circuit of about 780 meters, repeated for 10 laps. The cyclists competed divided into batteries, resulting in a series of exciting trials, experienced with great energy and participation. The public – made up of family members, friends and cycling enthusiasts – enthusiastically supported each athlete, helping to create an atmosphere of celebration and sharing, in the name of an increasingly inclusive, accessible and exciting sport for everyone.

The winners were, for the men’s II1 category: Piergiorgio Pizzo in first place; followed by Claudio Giacalone and Andrea Negrini; for the men’s II2 category: Pietro Lorenzo Fiana in first place, Stefano Boschini in second and Aldo Rossi in third; for the women’s II2 category: Anna Casati in first place and Laura Finazzi in second; for the IIQ category Andrea Romano in first place, followed by Davide Rossanese and Matteo Giuliani.

Present in Meda were Nicola Corti, secretary general of the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation, Cinzia Ghisellini, vice president of Federciclismo Lombardia, Stefania Tagliabue, deputy mayor and councillor for sports in Meda, and Alessia Villa, councilor for the Lombardy Region.

In addition to the main race, the day left room for a moment of presentation of the introductory cycling activities by A.S.D. Ideabili, open to all those, young and old, who were interested in trying out tools such as the Footbike and Balance Bike.

Cordiano Dagnoni, president of the FCI, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “For the Italian Cycling Federation it is a source of great pride to be able to welcome athletes with intellectual-relational disabilities into its activities and within its affiliated clubs. Cycling, like all sport, is enriched every time it manages to open up to new realities, to welcome all people and to enhance the talent of each one. FAUMCUP is a concrete example of how inclusion is a value that is built with real actions, step by step, race after race.”

Between the cyclists featured in the FAUMCUP, extraordinary stories of determination, passion and redemption emerge.

One of them is that of Pietro Lorenzo Fiana, 19, an athlete with Down syndrome, for whom cycling is much more than a sport: it is a deep connection with his family and a path of personal growth. He first climbed into the saddle when he was just 5 years old and has never stopped cycling since. Together with his older brother Lorenzo, he forms a close-knit pair, in and out of races. Lorenzo has been training him since they were children, and every day they ride the roads of the Intelvi Valley together: miles steadily grinded, between challenging climbs and breathtaking descents on mountain bikes. Since last year, Pietro and Lorenzo have been part of a team composed of ten athletes with intellectual and relational disabilities, ranging in age from 8 to 30. The team is part of the Cus Pro Patria Milano Triathlon, which already boasted a Paratriathlon section. It was thanks to the initiative and determination of their mother Alessandra that, after the signing of the protocol between FCI and FISDIR, it was also possible to officially start a cycling team with dual federal membership.

Pietro is now the FAUMCUP Italian champion in his category (II2), thanks to his results last year in road and off-road competitions. But his commitment does not stop there: he is also part of the “Superheroes” team of the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation, a group of athletes with intellectual and relational disabilities who participate every year in L’Eroica, the famous Val d’Orcia cycle race, pedaling on vintage bikes with thousands of fans.

The dream of Pietro is to be a part of the “Superheroes” team.

Peter’s dream is to continue pedaling and racing together with the many new friends he met through FAUMCUP, sharing fatigue, smiles and goals. For him, being a champion also means remembering every day the most authentic spirit of sport: helping each other, supporting each other along the way and, together, crossing the finish line.

For Anna Casati, 24, an athlete with Down syndrome, cycling is also serious. She won the title of Italian FAUMCUP champion in 2024 and continues to train consistently, twice a week, to get better and better. But cycling, for her, is also much more: it is a way to overcome limits, have fun and share emotions with her teammates. Together they face hardships, celebrate milestones and support each other, even when they find themselves opponents on the track. As an athlete and as a woman, Anna is a valuable example for many girls who dream of approaching cycling and living it with passion, commitment, and grit.

The FAUMCUP events will continue throughout the summer, supported by the enthusiastic cooperation of many local sports associations.

The next FAUMCUP event is July 5 in Cernusco Sul Naviglio with a new regional event organized by the Gruppo Sportivo Cernuschese ciclistica Tino Gadda. The regional circuit will then be completed by events organized in Aprilia by the A.S.D. Paco Team, in Dalmine and in Bisceglie by the Gaetano Cavallaro School of Cycling.

The FAUMCUP Italian Championships will be held in Aprilia.

The Italian Championships will be held instead on September 28 in Iseo, with the support of GIMASPORT A.S.D., and on October 11 in Bari, with the support of the Franco Ballerini Cycling School.

Not only competition, in 2025 FAUMCUP also becomes an opportunity to meet and train: during two collegiate retreats organized by FCI National Youth Technical Director Silvia Epis, athletes and their coaches will have the opportunity to deepen their technical knowledge and practical skills, for a weekend of sport and sharing.

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