In a major announcement for the 2024 cycling season, Bft Burzoni VO2 Team Pink has confirmed a partnership with WorldTour ensemble Team DSM Firmenich, thereby officially forming their junior women’s development team. Gian Luca Andrina, President of the Piacenza-based cycling squad, articulated a sense of accomplishment and pride in joining forces with a WorldTour team of such calibre. Andrina stressed that the collaboration validates their work in fostering young female talent on both the Italian and global cycling stages.
The development team, located in Emilia, Italy, is renowned for its nurturing of promising talents, one of the noteworthy mentions being Francesca Barale. This partnership aims to take their efforts to new heights by providing not just technical guidance, but also nutritional counsel for the comprehensive growth of their budding athletes.
Stefano Solari, Team Manager of Bft Burzoni, echoed Andrina’s enthusiasm. Solari revealed that the team had been on the hunt for a ‘guiding light’ to facilitate their growth while maintaining their unique identity. He expressed optimism that the collaboration with Team DSM Firmenich meets that criterion. The partnership not only allows them autonomy but also brings valuable resources and knowledge to the table. Solari mentioned that the initial dialogues between both teams revealed a natural synchrony in their cycling philosophies.
Hans Timmermans, the Scouting Coordinator at Team DSM Firmenich, also offered insight into the alliance. Timmermans noted that Bft Burzoni had already garnered respect as a potent development team in Italy. He stated that in discussions between the two outfits, it became clear that they shared many of the same values and philosophies. Timmermans conveyed excitement about pooling resources and knowledge, hoping that this synergy would significantly contribute to Bft Burzoni’s staff and their roster of cyclists.
