ALL THE ITALIAN “TASTE” IN THE TOUR DE POLOGNE

The Tour de Pologne – UCI World Tour has always featured certain aspects that link it to Italy. Everything starts with the General Manager for the tour, Czesaw Lang, who built his brilliant career on Italian roads during the 1980’s, wearing the jerseys of teams that have made cycling history, including GIS Gelati, Carrera Jeans and Del Tongo. Then there are his friendships with Ernesto Colnago, Francesco Moser and Giuseppe Saronn, just to name a few great names in Italian cycling. Lang, a silver medallist at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, has shared many experiences, adventures and excitement with these Italian cycling greats. Furthermore, how could one forget the extraordinary Grand Depart in 2013 when the Tour de Pologne kicked off from Italy, with two stages in the Dolomites.

 
Between sport, culture, art and fine cuisine, Poland and Italy will also interact on the roads of the 74th Tour de Pologne, which sets off on Saturday, July 29th , from Krakow. The trophy that will go to the winner of the Tour de Pologne comes from Italy; it is a modern work of art made by the noted and esteemed artist Mirko Demattè. The trophy features an entirely hand-made ceramic base and a structure produced in Woodn, a hi-tech material in PVC and bamboo, which is eco-friendly and completely recyclable.
 

Then there is the unique taste of NUTELLA, one of the most delicious Italian products enjoyed by young and old alike, exported successfully by FERRERO throughout the world, even in Poland. Once again this year Nutella will be the title sponsor of the Nutella Mini Tour de Pologne, the event dedicated to kids that attracts thousands of young people every year to follow in the tracks of the professional race.

 

But Italian taste doesn’t stop here. There will be lots of excellent products from the “Bel Paese” at the 2017 Tour de Pologne – UCI World Tour, scheduled from July 9th to August 4th. For the second year in a row the winners of the stages and the leader’s jersey will be celebrated every day with ASTORIA VINI and their Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry. Furthermore, guests of the Tour de Pologne will get the chance to taste this sparkling wine by Astoria at the elegant hospitality centre, which will be set up at the arrival area every day.

 
In more than 100 countries, Astoria distributes the wines produced in their own vineyards called Tenuta di Refrontolo, which are located in the province of Treviso in the Northeast of Italy, in the heart of the DOCG Conegliano-Valdobbiadene area; this is the heartland of Prosecco, a sparkling wine that is appreciated and in high demand all over the world, including in Poland, where Astoria runs an important distribution facility. So Astoria bubbly will add even more sparkle to a race that has always sparkled, even from a competitive perspective.

 

“After the brilliant experience in 2016, once again this year, in order to celebrate the Tour de Pologne champions every day, we have designed and developed a specially dedicated bottle with designs and graphics featuring colours and symbols that represent the Polish stage race. It means a lot to Astoria to be present in the world of sports, and cycling in particular; it’s enough to think about our many years of experience with the Giro d’Italia and many other races, and even here at the Tour de Pologne, the most important cycling event in all of Eastern Europe, which, among other things, for us represents a very interesting, strategic market,” explain Paolo and Giorgio Polegato, owners of Astoria Vini.

 

The delicacies served up every day at the hospitality centre will be prepared with the help of food products provided by API FOOD, a polish company that distributes high-end Italian gourmet products, available for purchase through major distributors but also directly online through the company’s e-commerce division. “To eat well means to live well. Our company offers a wide range of healthy products and even vegan, gluten and allergen free options. With the Tour de Pologne, cycling becomes and important showcase, considering that a healthy, balanced diet is essential for high-level athletes, but is also becoming more and more important for normal people as well,” explains the head of API FOOD Cesare Falco Bracco.
 

Furthermore, the banquet set out every day at the hospitality centre for the Tour de Pologne will be enriched by Italian deli meats from SALUMIFICIO LEONI, the establishment founded in 1960 in the heart of the territory for culinary traditions that is Emilia. Throughout the years this Italian brand has always stood out for its passion, professionalism and commitment. The company has received countless accolades throughout the years from the most important European institutes overseeing taste and quality. The secret to their success lies in their company motto, according to which “hurrying is the enemy of quality”. This is why every single phase of processing takes place with maximum respect for tradition, safety and natural aging. “Sport and good nutrition are obviously a perfect combination, especially in the world of cycling, where the efforts to reach important milestones are just as remarkable as those which we have to take on every day to keep our promises. In cycling we have already established collaborations with several important Pro Teams. Now with the Tour de Pologne we obviously intend to pursue this winning combination, giving our products the possibility to be appreciated in markets beyond our own borders, in places that recognize the Made in Italy logo as a synonym of excellence and quality,” explains Lorenzo Leoni.
 

And to finish off lunch with a good cup of coffee or just to indulge in a break, the hospitality centre will feature the aroma of DON CARUSO Italian coffee. “Unmistakable in time”; this is one of the mottos of this coffee, which has respected the traditions of a classic art while constantly growing and evolving to keep up with the demands of the modern market, thanks to the help a competent and highly specialized staff.
All the throngs of fans on the roads of the Tour de Pologne will have the chance to get to know these Italian brands and products through the colourful and fun publicity caravan that will precede the race, along with many other initiatives taking place every day at the finish lines, including music, games and entertainment.