In April this year, the United Nations declared that June 3rd would be the first official World Bicycle Day. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has joined forces with several of its partners to mark the occasion.
The Italian cycling manufacturer and historical UCI partner Santini is one of the UCI Official Supporters and also organiser of the Granfondo Stelvio Santini. Starting in Bormio, Italy, this mass participation event takes riders over a challenging 151km course with 4058m of climbing that includes the renowned Mortirolo and Stelvio passes.
With the objective to strengthen the UCI family’s collaboration with regards to cycling for all promotion, the UCI and its Official Supplier Big Bobble Hats have assembled a team of motivated staff members for this year’s Gran Fondo Stelvio Santini, which takes place on the inaugural World Bicycle Day.
Staff from UCI Official Partner GoPro have also taken up the challenge to tackle the race, with Santini staff to join in team building activities in the lead-up to Sunday’s event.
At the same time, the riders will be donating to World Bicycle Relief, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with which the UCI is currently developing projects in the field of cycling for all. Their mission: to produce and distribute very solid bikes (Buffalo Bikes) in Africa, South America and South-east Asia. The aim is to provide these populations with easier access to education, health services and economic opportunities thanks to the power of bicycles.
“The worldwide promotion of cycling is one of the UCI’s priorities, and World Bicycle Day fits in perfectly with our mission to bring our sport to the widest possible population,” said UCI President David Lappartient. “The Granfondo Stelvio Santini is a great occasion for UCI staff to enjoy a cycling activity with some of the UCI’s partners, and at the same time support the work we are carrying out with the NGO World Bicycle Relief.”