Now the 2025 season can officially begin. At Villa Ca' Rezzonico, in Bassano del Grappa (VI), Campana Imballaggi Geo&Tex Trentino has lifted the curtain on its new year. There will be no shortage of novelties, because from this season the team based in Lavis (Trento), but with a Veneto heart thanks to its main sponsors, will be able to count on a youth team added to its already structured U23 and junior squads.

In Italy, the realities that can offer young riders a path starting from when they are 14 years old are truly few, especially in today's cycling where performance is everything and young athletes have no space and time to grow. In an Italian landscape where youth teams are becoming increasingly rare, Campana Imballaggi Geo&Tex Trentino pedals against the current and increases its investment in youth activities.

Accompanying the first "official act" in Bassano were many familiar faces from the cycling world and friends of the team, such as great former riders Gilberto Simoni, Filippo Pozzato, Nicola Minali and Cristian Salvato, the latter being the president of ACCPI (Italian Professional Cyclists Association).

"We have changed a lot compared to last year, but above all, we wanted to involve the youth team in our project," explained team owner Roberto Campana. "First and foremost, I want to thank all the sponsors, to whom we have asked for an extra effort to support the three teams we will have this year. There are many young riders looking for space to emerge and have fun. In Italy, it's becoming increasingly difficult for young people, but we, in our small way, want to give them a chance."

"I have been investing in cycling since 1988 and continue to do so because it's a fantastic sport," said Renato Campana, owner of Geo&Tex 2000. "It has always given me great satisfaction, and this team has been able to make me rejoice in recent years, particularly with its track results. Supporting all these talented young riders in pursuing their dream is a great privilege for me. Of course, winning brings even greater satisfaction."

Concretely, however, the team's 2025 has already begun, as the U23 and junior teams have already had their first training camp at Hotel Garnì Delle Rose, owned by the family of former rider Edoardo Zambanini, near Riva del Garda (TN), between December and January, and then the U23 team flew to Sardinia, to La Maddalena, guests of the Med'Oro residence of the Morbiato family for about ten days.

Moreover, track cyclist Mattia Predomo is currently competing in the Track European Championships in Zolder, Belgium, where in the sprint, among other things, he was eliminated in the round of 16, after challenging world champion Harrie Lavreysen for the first time in his career.

For the U23 team, as tradition dictates, the seasonal debut will come at Coppa San Geo, scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd in Ponte San Marco (BS). "The results obtained on the road last year did not satisfy us, and for this reason, we have made a small revolution," explained Alessandro Coden, a cornerstone of the team along with President Sonia Casotti. "We are ready to restart with great desire and determination. Many riders from all over the world have asked us if there was space on the team, confirming that the team's external perception is truly good. We will offer our riders a calendar that is once again very varied, with more than a few international trips that we hope will help them grow."

"We will have a team entirely composed of riders from Trentino and South Tyrol," said Mattia Ress, junior team coach. "It's a strategic choice to have a more cohesive group that can train together and find common ground more easily. After two very particular years, we need to have a great season, having fun and trying to bring home some good results."

The youth team has already met for several road and off-road outings, and in the coming days, they are expected to visit the Zambanini family in Riva del Garda.

"This is a delicate but stimulating category because the young riders need to be trained and therefore listen to you," added Massimo Finamoni, youth team coach. "You can really make a difference in their growth. In 2025, in my opinion, we will have a very competitive team, with most athletes in their second year, and I'm quite sure we'll enjoy many satisfactions. We hope to give the team and sponsors some important victories, without forgetting that these young riders are in school and their academic performance remains a priority."

The presentation at Villa Ca' Rezzonico was also a moment to remember once again Sara Piffer, tragically passed away a few weeks ago after being hit by a car during training, and sister of Christian, a member of Campana Imballaggi Geo&Tex Trentino, and of course Jacopo Venzo, whose name is written on the collar of the team's jerseys.

THE ROSTER

U23 Team: Roberto Busanello (2006), Josh Callaly (2006), Mattia Campana (2006), Michael Cattani (2003), Luca Giorni (2004), Christian Piffer (2004), Mattia Predomo (2004), Riccardo Ruffin (2004), Stefano Sacchet (2006), Francesco Vecchiutti (2005), Simone Vieceli (2004), Leonardo Volpato (2004).

Junior Team: Gianluca Archetti (2008), Alessandro Avi (2007), Davide Coster Comi (2007), Alessandro De Zordi (2008), Davide Fracchetti (2008), Oscar Vlad Sandri (2007), Alessandro Sartori (2007), Luca Zandonai (2008).

Youth Team: Riccardo Baraldo (2009), Tommaso Basso (2009), Giulio Gambato (2009), Tommaso Grassi (2009), Valentino Gonzato (2010), Matteo Lunardon (2009), Jake Morbiato (2010), Alessandro Sperotto (2009).