Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

McDonalds joins the professional peloton as a major sponsor of Ivano Fannini’s Amore e Vita Cycling team. The longtime sponsor Beretta Salumifico (Salami company) is now gone, replaced by another fatty meat company. “I am very happy and honored to begin McDonalds involvement in professional cycling, thanks to Amore e Vita for helping to make this possible” says Ivano Fannini.

The new sponsor with much larger pockets may mean good things for the small Italian team that helps foster new champion riders for the peloton for 25 years. Since that time over 4,000 athletes have ridden in an A e V jersey with 12 world titles, 45 national titles, 15 stages of the Giro D’Italia and various classics wins. Some of the riders who acheived these goals either while on A e V or after include Michele Bartoli, Franco Chioccioli, Rolf Sorensen, Francesco Moser, Andrea Tafi, Glenn Magnusson, Bruno Risi and Kurt Betschart

In 2005 A e V acheived 19 international victories and have been very outspoken about doping in the peloton.

The A e V team is current in Libo di Camaiore at a training camp until February 3rd. They will then show off their colors in the GP Costa degli Etruschi and the Trofeo Laigueglia.

One interesting note is that Fannini has been talking with Mario Cipollini about a possible return to cycling. Fanini says that all that is left is to sign a contract. Could we see a return of Cipo in the next few weeks?
Stay tuned….

Tutto Bici