MINERVINO FROM AIGLE: “THE 16TH TROFEO BINDA WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY 30 MARCH 2014"

On the occasion of the World Championships in Florence, Mario Minervino, President of Cycling Sport Promotion, had stated his disappointment that the UCI calendar for 2014 featured an international competition in Belgium, the Gent-Wevelgem, on the same day as the Trofeo Binda: "We are very disappointed - Minervino stated - because the International Cycling Union is not protecting World Cup races as in the past. We are not afraid of competition, we just want to protect the event." Over the last few days, Minervino participated in the seminar for organizers of the Women's World Cup in the UCI headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland: "The relaunch of women's cycling was much talked about, as well as the new rules relating to the points system and the categories which will become three: Leader, Sprint and GPM. This was a good opportunity to propose solutions to the calendar issues. We are not against concurring events but we need new rules that protect the organizers. Among other things, the UCI complimented our organization and the excellent work undertaken in our side events." At the conclusion of the seminar, President Mario Minervino was very clear: "We will hold the 2014 World Cup on Sunday, 30 March as planned. We have spoken to all our collaborators, we cannot change the date because there is a concurrent event. The Trofeo Binda is very important and fundamental in the women's calendar and is also a major event for the area. With the mayor of Cittiglio, Fabrizio Anzani, we have made plans for next year. Following requests from the mayor of Laveno, Maria Graziella Giacon, and the Councillor for Sport, Roberto Bianchi, the race will again start from Laveno Mombello. We plan to follow the same program as in 2013, including the junior race in the morning and the Cycle! excursion." Cycling Sport Promotion will organize all the other side events, while waiting for confirmation of the 2015 calendar.

The following events are planned:

1) Schools: About 1500 students from primary and secondary schools along the race route will be involved in promotional events, events to raise awareness on environmental, nutritional and social issues, particularly with regard to road safety (not only with theoretical demonstrations but also with ability tests). The goal is to encourage the use of bicycles as a means of low environmental impact, thus helping to improve the flow of traffic. At the same time, the initiative promotes the values ​​of sport and health: "Cycling, of course ... but safely and in compliance with the rules, through prevention and education."

2) The ReCycling project: Cycling is a sport that stands out for his sensitivity towards the environment. Those who enjoy cycling follow their dreams in a natural setting that is constantly changing. When cycling, the environment is an integral part of physical exercise and for this reason the cyclist always has deep respect for the territory which he/she observes from the saddle. Thus, environmental protection and promotion of the territory become part of the precious heritage that characterizes the cycling movement, a philosophy which is endorsed by the organizers of the most important events." ReCycling "is the brand name and the project with which the International Cycling Union draws attention to the very best initiatives taken by organizers who look to the future with enthusiasm and sensitivity.

3) Promotion of the territory and local products: The route of the Trofeo Binda offers important opportunities for interaction with numerous local organizations and institutions involved in the event, such as: the Lombardy Region, the Province of Varese, the Municipalities through which the race passes, the Mountain Communities (Verbano Valleys and Piambello), the Local Action Groups (for Lakes and Mountains and Luinese Valleys). The area covered by the race is considered the "green lung" of the Province of Varese: the Valcuvia area is rich in farms and cultivated land and along Lake Maggiore near Luino village is an area of ​​great tourist importance.

Our environmental and ecological initiatives aim to:
- Promote tourism in the area;
- Raise public awareness towards safeguarding the environment;
- Showcase local products (fruit of the labour of many local farms);
- Promote local businesses (farm houses, hotels and restaurants), also involving them in hosting the athletes, technical staff and media during the weekend of the race.

Trofeo Alfredo Binda Women's World Cup - what numbers!

The Trofeo Alfredo Binda: The race held on Sunday, 24 March 2013, finishing in Cittiglio (Varese) has enjoyed huge success and interest among fans, media, institutions and sponsors. Large numbers (approximately 8,000 spectators) crowded along the final 500 metres of the race and a further 5,000 in the Orino area and along the route.
Participation: 160 athletes in the Elite category, representing 29 teams from 29 countries from all continents. A good twenty were champions, holders of Olympic,  world, continental and national titles.

The Trofeo da Moreno: Ersilio Ferrario memorial race for junior women will be repeated in 2014. The race was immediately called "Little World Cup", because it ran concurrent to the Trofeo Alfredo Binda and thanks to the extraordinary participation of 110 athletes, including the national teams of France and Lithuania.

Logistics and territory: The race passed through as many as 23 municipalities which were involved in the promotional initiatives organized by Cycling Sport Promotion. Safety was ensured by 250 Alpine guards, 100 Civil Defence volunteers, 100 volunteers and 100 members of the police force. Twelve hotels and one farm house ensured hospitality to about 1000 people from Thursday to Sunday . The organization prepared and distributed 300 lunch packs.

Communication: 75 journalists were present, among these, 7 were foreigners (Europe and Australia), with 39 participating in the forecast competition. A total of 900 badges, for workers and guests, were distributed on race day. The live webcast of the competition (www.trofeobinda.com) was followed by 2,200 web surfers. On race day, the website recorded a total of 2,401 visits, which totaled over 14,565 from the beginning of the year. With regard to the social networks, 321 followed the race on Facebook, an additional 540 were recorded on Twitter, and the youtube  video was hugely followed: the RAI transmission recorded 4,349 views. Success also for the live twitter coverage recording pieces along the route and interviews with many fans around the world and on which, just seconds after the end of the race, the winner, Elisa Longo Borghini's photo was visible. To ensure access to information, 200 athletes guides, 120 technical guides, 1,000 brochures, 5,000 flyers, 5,000 leaflets were produced and printed, and more than 50 press releases were drafted and sent. The night of the race over 70 minutes of coverage (with a repeat at night) went out on Raisport 2, directed by Francesca Portinari with commentary by Piegiorgio Severini and Silvio Martinello. Other images were widely broadcast by EuroSport, One Bike, Sport and Sport, and Sportissimo. Anyone wishing to relive the thrills of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda - Women's World Cup can use the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE1uS-MtAKE&list=UUloqTh1nPpW13LCntQglS-Q&index=1