Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry: “The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry has contributed to the organisation of the Giro d’Italia, reasoning in terms of strategy and prospects. We want to promote this important sporting event by linking it to the promotion of our country and its quality products, reasoning in terms of Sistema Italia. Doing it here at Barcelona Seafood Global, with a testimonial of excellence, the cycling champion Damiano Cunego, also allows us to explain the importance of a correct diet, linked to sporting activity to have beneficial effects on health. Because, as Hippocrates said, one must use food as medicine.”
Andrea Abodi, Minister of Sports and Youth: “This government is pleased to collaborate internally to produce positive effects externally, with the conviction and awareness of being useful to the business system, to citizens, and to the nation. My participation in this international event dedicated to the excellence of sea products, with an extraordinary presence of our companies, alongside Minister Lollobrigida, is a concrete representation of the inter-ministerial synergy that aims to make the Italian system credible, competitive, and winning. On the other hand, this relationship between sport and quality food will be increasingly important. And the Giro d’Italia embodies this idea of collaboration, with an organisational and operational machine that not only spreads sporting values, but also becomes an instrument for promoting tourism and Italian excellence. I am convinced that the Giro should be considered a national heritage, an excellence of Made in Italy that, by combining the characteristics of a tough sport like cycling in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Italy, will increasingly make this event one of the most important in the world.”
Marco Marsilio, President of the Regione Abruzzo: “Presenting the Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia in Barcelona, along with the ‘Costa dei Trabocchi’ applying as a candidate for a seat on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list at the Fishing Fair, clearly shows the importance of this choice that the Regione Abruzzo has made to promote the beauty of our territory also through sport. I am convinced that there will be many people who, thanks to the Corsa Rosa, will come discover Abruzzo afterwards.”
Paolo Bellino, Managing Director at Rcs Sport: “The Giro d’Italia is not only a sporting event but a full narration of our country and its excellences. In this case, thanks to the agreement with MASAF, we turn our attention to fishing and food, which we will celebrate on 6 May during the opening stage of the Giro from one of its symbolic places, the Costa dei Trabocchi. The food sector is an excellence of our country and it is right, as a global event with over 200 countries following it live, to celebrate it.”
Damiano Cunego, 2004 Giro d’Italia winner: “Over the years there has been an increasing awareness among athletes of how important it isa healthy diet. In cycling this is demonstrated by how, at the Giro d’Italia, more and more teams have personal nutritionists and chefs at their side. We must do everything to preserve and promote the food sector, Italian excellence, and events like these give us a chance to do this.”
