One billion and 770 million euros. These are the revenues of the bicycle sector in Italy in 2024 estimated byBanca Ifis Research Office and presented in the 2024 edition of the Bicycle Ecosystem. The Italian bike supply chain shows a high capacity to create value, with a return on capital of 9 percent, thanks to the shift in production to high-end and high-value-added products. The e-bike has reached a share of 15 percent, it was 1 percent in 2017.
Italian production is synonymous with excellence, in fact the rating of Italian products attributed by international customers is, on a scale of 1 to 5, 4.6 for muscle bikes, and 4.5 for e-bikes. But the Italian bike supply chain also leads the way in competitive sports: as many as 77 percent of the teams participating in the Giro d’Italia chose Italian bikes or components. Data on the Giro which comes alongside the 2 billion euros of value it brings to the territories, as calculated by Banca Ifis last year, demonstrating the Institute’s commitment to sustainable mobility.
The first day of Giro d’Italia 107 it did not end with the finish line in Corso Moncalieri, but with the Bike Business Forum organized by RCS Sport in collaboration with ICE – Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian companies, at the Eataly Lingotto Congress Center, in Turin, and moderated by the deputy director of the Gazzetta dello Sport, Pier Bergonzi.
An opportunity to focus the spotlight on the bike economy, on the Italian bicycle supply chain and its impact on the world of sport, with the Giro d’Italia in the lead.
Present at the opening were the President of RCS MediaGroup, Urbano Cairo, the President of ICE; Matteo Zoppas, and the President of the UCI – International Cycling Union, David Lappartient. There was no shortage of introduction by Andrea Cipolloni, CEO of Eataly.
To fuel the talk within the forum, the data and ideas provided by the research of theBanca Ifis Observatory presented by Carmelo Carbotti, marketing and strategic manager and Research Office, which will be released in the next few days. A moment of discussion which saw the participation of Nicola Rosin, CEO of Colnago; Steve Smith, Head of Cycling at Manifattura Valcismon; Cristiano De Rosa, Vice President of Confindustria ANCMA; Matteo Cassina, CEO of Passoni and Ashmei and publisher of Rouleur.
The Bike Business Forum was followed by an exclusive dinner in the Sala dei Duecento at Eataly, with a food and wine proposal dedicated to the event: a tasteful journey through the biodiversity of the Italian regions, from North to South, with a particular homage to Piedmont and its excellence of the territory. Each gastronomic proposal was enhanced by the logo created by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, to support the candidacy of Italian cuisine as a world heritage site.
Matteo Zoppas, President of the ICE Agency: “The Giro d’Italia is an important and useful tool for being able to convey the Italian spirit and what we do. The forum on the Bike economy was wanted precisely because, in addition to wanting to contribute to the organization of the Giro, we want to create a business opportunity between the Made in Italy excellences of the sector and the buyers of our products. We believe that the Giro d’Italia can be a megaphone for the story of Italian excellence and can at the same time contribute to the growth of exports. In President Urbano Cairo we have found an ally who has embraced this theme.”
Urbano Cairo, President of RCS MediaGroup: “The Giro d’Italia started today in the best possible way, in an extraordinary venue like that of Venaria Reale. In the last 8 years, since I have held this role, the Corsa Rosa has been decided in the very last few days. I thank our Partners present here for the sensitivity they had in understanding the potential of the Giro d’Italia, a true ambassador of Made in Italy. Having a race like this for our country is of great importance because it has the strength to increase its notoriety. Likewise, foreign countries recognize and appreciate the strength of the Giro as a promotional showcase in the world. Today the first stage of the Giro d’Italia took on a special value because it took place on the day that commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Superga tragedy”.
David Lappartient, President of the UCI: “The Giro d’Italia is a unique event and all the riders want to win this race. The great cycling champions must also pass through the Maglia Rosa for what it represents and the value it has for our industry. a great asset and a very important sporting event. It is no coincidence that Pogacar chose him to participate. The cultural aspect is another incredible strong point. A passion that has been transmitted for more than a hundred years, a unique atmosphere with wonderful landscapes, a perfect showcase in the world. In fact, there is no better opportunity than cycling competitions for promoting the area. Today’s stage reminded me of a great classic but with many gaps, but there is plenty of time to see a beautiful finish.”
Andrea Cipolloni, Group CEO Eataly: “It is an honor to open the Eataly Lingotto conference center at the Bike Forum in the year in which Eataly becomes part of the Giro d’Italia family for the first time as Top Sponsor of the Maglia Bianca. We find a total affinity in the Giro: we both show the world our country through our cultural heritage, be it historical, landscape or food and wine, contributing to making Italy’s name great in the world. This is why we are happy to be on the same shirt where the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry have placed the logo – I love Italian cuisine candidate for UNESCO heritage – to support the candidacy of Italian cuisine a world heritage site”.
Steve Smith, Head of Cycling at Manifattura Valcismon: “Castelli is proud to represent the Italian Bike Economy in over 70 countries around the world. Creativity, innovation and style, icons of Made in Italy, ensure that our brand is a source of inspiration for millions of cyclists. 85% of our revenue comes from global markets and we are seeing signs of strong recovery in the bike economy after the slight decline that followed the post-Covid boom.”
Nicola Rosin, CEO of Colnago: “This is a good moment for Italian companies, especially in cycling. To remain at these levels, performance and technology must always be up to par, but if the product is Made in Italy, it is possible to have uniqueness and position oneself very well in the market. Colnago bikes are proof of how much this intangible value makes the difference. The search for economy at all costs, with production in countries with low labor costs, is a finished trend. Among other things, it is essential for companies to adapt to sustainability parameters. If we encourage research and innovation, it will always be possible to maintain the competitiveness of companies. After being acquired by an Emirati fund, Colnago maintains its beating Italian heart and, thanks to the strength of our shareholders, can innovate and penetrate international markets with great success”.
Cristiano De Rosa, Vice President of Confindustria ANCMA: “There could not be a more suitable context than the Great Departure for this forum. The Giro d’Italia is one of the best promotional tools in the cycling world, not only as regards the competitive aspect, but also for the territory, for tourism, and therefore for cycle tourism. Every occasion is important to tell and show how beautiful our country is and above all to promote the use of bicycles.”
Matteo Cassina, CEO of Passoni and Ashmei and publisher of Rouleur: “Living abroad since the late 90s I have observed Italy through different perspectives. The first 20 years of this millennium have been difficult for the country. The launch of the single currency, public debt, the pandemic and the transformation of the industrial fabric necessary for the post-war economic miracle but no longer suitable for global challenges. For the first time in my working life I saw very strong signs of recovery, reflected by GDP growth parameters that were higher than the European average for the first time. I personally see an important potential in sustainable tourism and Made in Italy to contribute to the growth of the country and I hope that the bicycle becomes the symbolic instrument of this rebirth”.
