SuperEroica 2025 hour kicks off with Allianz Umana Mente Foundation
The “Team SuperEroica”, composed of 15 young people with physical and intellectual disabilities, will participate on October 4 and 5, for the fourth consecutive year, with the support and coordination of the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation, in L’Eroica di Gaiole in Chianti in the Siena area, with vintage bikes and clothing, along with thousands of other cyclists, bringing to fruition a feat that goes beyond all barriers.
Piergiorgio, a boy from Asciano (Siena) with Fragile X syndrome and a lifelong passion for cycling, received a new bicycle as a gift on the day of his First Communion and, with the excuse of going down to the garage to admire it, jumped into the saddle and ran. “From excitement she rode several kilometers, all the way to her grandmother’s house to show her her new bolide” her mother recounts. Then came the vintage Bianchi, a gift from his brother Giovanni, and in 2019 Piergiorgio rode his first Eroica, pedaling 86 kilometers.
This is one of the stories of the youngsters who make up the “Team SuperEroica”, a group of young people with disabilities from all over Italy – along with their athletic trainers and a group of volunteers –prepared to “get in the saddle” and ride L’Eroica, along the roads through Chianti and Val d’Orcia, thanks to the fundamental support of Fondazione Allianz UMANA MENTE, the corporate foundation of Allianz in Italy, chaired by Maurizio Devescovi, General Manager of Allianz S.p.A., established in 2001 to support integration projects particularly in favor of young people in difficulty and people with disabilities.
The social cycling project that the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation launched in 2022 thus returns, making use of the fundamental collaboration of L’Eroica di Gaiole in Chianti, which supports the team to such an extent that the participation of these young people has become part of its social commitment.
“We are proud to support the SuperEroica Team, – said Nicola Corti, Secretary General of the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation – because it represents an opportunity for young people with disabilities to live a unique experience, and above all because it is a project that underscores the’importance of creating spaces where everyone can express their talents and feel part of a supportive and united community”.
In particular, the Allianz UMANA MENTE Foundation coordinates the Team of the “SuperEroici” a unique team of over thirty people, supports their training and provides room and board for the entire group during the days of the cycling event. All “SuperEroici” participate in the 46-kilometer route on Sunday, Oct. 5, while a smaller group tackles the “Middle Crete Senesi” 135-kilometer route on Saturday, Oct. 4. Prior to the start of the competition, the youngsters are “given a christening” by Giancarlo Brocci, creator of L’Eroica, who meets the team for a special congratulations. In addition to the patron of L’Eroica, the project can boast other important supporters. In fact, Roberto Lencioni from Lucca, in art “Carube” considered one of the best mechanics in Italian professional cycling, as well as Mario Cipollini’s historical mechanic, takes care of the technical supervision of the vintage bikes before the race. Cicli Drali Milano, a renowned bicycle store in Milan, is also supporting the project by providing vintage bikes and riding through the hills of Siena together with the SuperEroici.
Among the appearances in the “Team SuperEroica” edition 2025 will also feature Fabio Triboli, gold medalist in para-cycling at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
A weekend of great emotions, a group of youngsters ‘heroic’, who – for the fourth consecutive year – want to pave the way for others to be able to participate in races and sporting events such as these, breaking down important barriers and demonstrating how sport can be a vehicle for inclusion.
