It was a beautiful and interesting ceremony that accompanied the 53rd Regional Technical Conference of Race Judges from Veneto on Saturday evening, February 1st, held at the Municipal Theater in Borgoricco, in the province of Padua. The meeting was organized by outgoing Veneto Commission President Chiara Compagnin and prepared in view of the start of the new road racing season. The event was attended by the new Italian Cycling Federation councilor and former Veneto and Commission President, Sandro Checchin, the new Veneto cycling manager Mario Guerretta, accompanied by councilors Ezio Piovesan, Maria Bertoldo and Paolo Bassanello, and directors from various Provincial Committees. The ceremony began with a remembrance of recently deceased Commission leaders Mario Penariol, Giuliano Favaro and Giuseppe Canazza. The latter was described as an "extremely active soul" and an indomitable secretary of the Commission.

"Today is a special day," Chiara Compagnin emotionally emphasized at the beginning of the conference, "because next to me there is an empty chair dedicated to Giuseppe Canazza, who left us a few months ago and who would have been here with us today, and it is right to remember our friends Mario Penariol and Giuliano Favero."

Checchin then intervened, stating: "It's wonderful to be here today because I've met many colleagues who are passionate about this sport. Now I'm preparing to take on the new role with good will. I particularly want to emphasize that your category is very important and allows us to act with conscience and awareness, so I wish everyone a good 2025 and good cycling."

Then came the intervention of the new Veneto Committee President, Guerretta, who specified: "I'm approaching the conference with a new role that I haven't yet fully explored. My experience in the world of cycling has been completely different. The Race Judges Commission plays an important role, and for this, I have deep respect for your delicate commitment to cycling and the ability you have always demonstrated towards it, and for this, I extend wishes for a good 2025."

Federica Guarniero then spoke, bringing greetings from the National Commission, fresh from directing races at the Paris 2024 Olympics. "These have been four challenging years during which we have always tried to do our best," she specified, "and I want to thank all my colleagues for the work done and for the esteem always shown to me, and for this, I extend a big 'good luck' to the new judges who have joined the group."

The Conference then continued with technical presentations, initiated by race judges Arnaldo Marampon and Sonia Zardin, who addressed the "2025 Implementing Regulations Novelties"; followed by "Managing a Regional BMX Race" by Pierluigi Candiotto and Alessio Turco; "Managing a Regional Enduro Race" (Ivano Baldin and Désirée Bertoldo); "Trial Stage Experience" (Cinzia Bolzan and Nicoletta Lazzarin); "How to Measure a Time Trial Bike" (Nicola Orazio and Martina Pinarello) and "Managing a Race in Emergency" (Beatrice Bandiera and Elena Bordin).

The meeting continued with the report by the Outgoing Regional Race Judges Commission, held by Compagnin, who highlighted the results achieved in recent years. In 2024, 431 races were followed; 448 in 2022 and 470 in 2023 with 1,013 designations; 14 in other regions; 52 canceled after designations, with 91 substitutions. 162 races were for Young Riders; 199 on the road, 59 off-road, 8 on the track, and 3 for amateurs. 377 races were without incidents, 50 with race-related actions, and 4 with organizational issues. The president especially focused on the number "29.75", representing the average age of Veneto race judges, with the number of registrations now seeing an increase in the female sector, composed of 41 women and 33 men.

The event continued with various awards and recognitions for judges, athletes, and contributors to the cycling community.