Varese, 26 May 2025 – In 2025, the year in which Stefano Garzelli's victory at the Giro d'Italia occurs 25 years ago, a new and prestigious initiative is born in the world of cycling tourism: bike4bliss “Stefano Garzelli Cycling Escape”.

A project signed by bike4bliss  by Giovanni Martinelli, project manager of important initiatives in the field of cycling tourism, active in the creation of services and destinations as well as organizer of cycling experiences.

The collaboration with Stefano Garzelli, winner of the Giro d'Italia 2000, and today esteemed RAI technical commentator for the great classics and grand tours, represents further confirmation of the desire to create something important in this historical moment of strong interest and development of cycling tourism.

These will be exclusive but also accessible experiences that will combine sport, wellness and travel, aimed at those who want to experience cycling in an authentic way, in breathtaking places and with the guidance of true champions.

Three debut destinations are planned for 2025:

• October – French Riviera (France)
  Panoramic routes between sea and hills, based in Menton in dedicated facilities. An autumn escape with spring-summer climate between legendary climbs and moments of relaxation.
• November – Terre dei Laghi (Varese, Italy)
  The homeland of Garzelli: an itinerary in the cycling heart of Lombardy, among lakes, valleys, culture and unique panoramas.
• December – Alicante (Spain)

       Winter training in a mild climate, on roads loved by professionals. Garzelli will accompany participants between sporting challenges and the pleasure of travel.

The destinations chosen are all rapidly developing and growing in the field of cycling tourism.

Varese, in particular, the birthplace of Stefano and Giovanni, already a land of cycling and the place where the Tre Valli Varesine takes place, one of the most important international competitive events, has attracted a lot of interest in terms of cycling tourism in recent years. Proof of this is the numerous and well-attended events organized by various associations practically every month of the year and ranging from randonnees to gravel, the current trend and which goes well with the lake area.

This is thanks to important initiatives and investments by the institutions and operators who have been working for three years to enhance the destination with the Varesedoyoubike project coordinated by the Varese Chamber of Commerce.

 “The idea is to share my passion for cycling in places I love, in an authentic and accessible way,”  says Stefano Garzelli. “It will be an opportunity to ride together, tell anecdotes, give advice, but above all experience quality days of sport, beauty and conviviality. I had the opportunity to meet Giovanni Martinelli who with his bike4bliss project is contributing to creating a real development in the world of cycle tourism and a good feeling and sharing of ideas was born immediately.”
"I am also very happy to be able to carry out this activity in the land where I was born, raised and where I trained for many years. When Giovanni proposed it to me I realized the potential that can be developed between the lakes", continues Stefano Garzelli.

The project was born from the meeting between Garzelli and Giovanni Martinelli,  founder of bike4bliss. “With Stefano we share a vision: to make cycling an experience of well-being, discovery and community,” explains Martinelli. “We thought of something unique: not only spectacular routes, but also welcoming places, small groups, and an atmosphere in which every cyclist feels part of something special.”

Alongside bike4bliss and Garzelli there will also be Cycling Lab, the technical partner of the initiative. The company, a point of reference for bike fitting, sports nutrition and personalized training programs, will be present during the trips with its staff, led by another great name in Italian cycling: Damiano Cunego, winner of the 2004 Giro d'Italia.

The trips will not be limited to these three dates: in the future the proposals will be active all year round and can be scheduled at any time upon  reaching a minimum group of 10 participants. Each experience will be completely customizable based on the level of preparation, objectives and needs of the cyclists.

The experience can therefore have a purely touristic nature, with relaxed rhythms and spaces for discovering the territory, or transform into a training opportunity, with more technical outings and sustained pedaling for the most trained. All always accompanied by professionals in the sector, in total safety and with maximum comfort.

The proposals will include:

✔️ Bike accompaniment with Garzelli and expert guides

✔️ Accommodation in selected facilities

✔️ Technical assistance, on-site support

✔️ Evening events, talks and exclusive moments with Stefano and Damiano

 More information BIKE4BLISS > TOURS & HOLIDAYS

Stefano Garzelli  is a former Italian professional cyclist, born on July 16, 1973 in Varese. Active between 1997 and 2013, he was one of the most complete riders of his generation, excelling as a climber but also proving competitive in time trials and sprints.

Professional career

Garzelli began his career as a domestique for Marco Pantani in the Mercatone Uno team. In 2000, taking advantage of a decline in Pantani's form, he had the opportunity to ride for himself and won the 83rd edition of the Giro d'Italia, beating Gilberto Simoni and Francesco Casagrande in a close race.

Throughout his career, he has achieved numerous successes, including:

• Victory at the Tour of Switzerland in 1998
• Second place at the Giro d'Italia in 2003
• Victory at Tirreno-Adriatico in 2010
• Two consecutive victories at Tre Valli Varesine in 2005 and 2006
• Two green jerseys as best climber at the Giro d'Italia in 2009 and 2011

He took part in 14 editions of the Giro d'Italia, winning a total of 11 stages.

After the retreat

After retiring from competition in 2013, Garzelli became a technical commentator for cycling on Rai Sport and served as sports director for professional teams. Since 2014, he has supported Alessandro Fabretti in hosting the television program "Processo alla Tappa", which follows the various stages of the Giro d'Italia.

He currently lives in Valencia, Spain, with his wife Maria and his sons Marco, Luca, Matteo and Leonardo.

Curiosity

During the 2000 Giro d'Italia, Garzelli recalled a particular moment:

«Perhaps the moment when, one kilometer from the finish line of the Sestriere time trial, Alessandro Giannelli, the sports director who followed me in that race, said the phrase that still gives me goosebumps: "Go Stefano, the yellow jersey is turning pink". The yellow jersey was that of Mercatone Uno, my team and Pantani's. And Marco himself, walking together the evening before the race, said another phrase to me that I will never forget: "Don't worry Stefano, tomorrow you will be in pink". He was more convinced than I was that I would win the Giro.»

Garzelli was one of the protagonists of Italian cycling at the turn of the millennium, embodying the spirit of determination and passion that characterizes this sport.