The 2024 Maglia Rosa, sponsored by Enel for the ninth consecutive year and manufactured by Castelli, was unveiled today among the masterpieces of the Brera Art Gallery.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Pinacoteca di Brera (Brera Art Gallery) and Opera Laboratori, was attended by Urbano Cairo, President of RCS MediaGroup; Angelo Crespi, Director of the Pinacoteca di Brera; Paolo Bellino, Managing Director of RCS Sport; Mauro Vegni, Director of the Giro dāItalia; Stefano Barigelli, Director of La Gazzetta dello Sport; Nicola Lanzetta, Director of Italy, Enel Group; Steve Smith, Brand Manager of Castelli; Beppe Costa, President of Opera Laboratori; Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Tourism, Major Events and Sport of the Municipality of Rome; Fabrizio Ricca, Councillor for Sport of the Piedmont region; Ivana Faccioli, News Director of RTL 102.5; and Vincenzo Nibali, the last Italian winner of the Corsa Rosa in 2016, as well as many representatives of institutions, sponsors and the media.
In memory of the Grande Torino
The collar of the Maglia Rosa holds one of this yearās significant new features ā a quote on a maroon background paying homage to the Invincible champions, going āGrande Torino 1949 ā Only fate could beat themā. On 4 May, exactly 75 years after the Superga disaster, the Giro dāItalia will also be paying tribute to the āgranataā team.
History of the Maglia Rosa
The Maglia Rosa, identifying the general classification leader, was introduced in the 1931 Giro. The first rider to wear it was Learco Guerra after winning the first stage of 1931, Milan-Mantova, on 10 May 1931.
Over 88 editions, 263 athletes have worn the Maglia Rosa for at least one stage in the history of the Giro.
The rider who has spent the most days in the Maglia Rosa in history is Eddy Merckx, who wore it for 78 stages, followed by Francesco Moser at 57 and Gino Bartali at 50.
Eddy Merckx holds the record for the longest sequence of consecutive Maglia Rosa, 36 stages.
Two riders wore the Maglia Rosa from the first to the last stage: Eddy Merckx in 1973 and Gianni Bugno in 1990.
The nation with the most Maglia Rosa wins is Italy, at 1,009: the last Italian in Rosa was Alessandro de Marchi, in the 4th and 5th stage in 2021. Italy is followed by Belgium at 164 and Spain at 140.
The Maglia Rosa was worn by athletes from 28 different nations.
Urbano Cairo, President of RCS MediaGroup:Ā āThe Maglia Rosa is the globally recognised symbol of our Giro dāItalia. Donning it is the dream of all the riders who start the Corsa Rosa. This year, it will have an even greater emotional value for me because the stories of the great champions who have worn it will intertwine with those of the Invincibles of the Grande Torino, whom we will celebrate on the first stage, on the 75th anniversary of the Superga disaster. The Maglia Rosa and Il Grande Torino tell tales that unite all sports fansā.
Angelo Crespi, Director of the Brera Art Gallery:Ā āI am honoured that the Pinacoteca di Brera was chosen to present the Maglia Rosa of the Giro dāItalia 2024. Over almost a century, the Maglia Rosa has become a symbol not only for sport. The athletes who have had the honour of wearing it have often been elevated to true examples of humanity, embodying the qualities needed to prevail in an ancient sport that has fatigue and endurance as its way of being. It is no coincidence that the exhibition of some historical magazines in the spaces of the Braidense National Library demonstrates how the narrative of the Giro and its heroes is something that has gone beyond the simple sports chronicle, becoming a social taleā.
Paolo Bellino, Managing Director and General Manager of RCS Sport:Ā āThe quintessence of Italian excellence is coming together today, in this splendid setting.Ā On one side the Maglia Rosa and on the other the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of the most important museums in our country. With the contribution of recognised brands that export Made in Italy all over the world, such as Castelli and Enel,Ā we will once again host another symbol of Made in Italy recognised throughout the world, which this year will be unique and special. The memory of the Grande Torino will accompany the journey of the Giro dāItalia and the Maglia Rosa starting today and not only during the days of the race when the great champions will wear itā.
Mauro Vegni, Director of the Giro dāItalia:Ā āAs a race director, I have seen the champions who have worn the Maglia Rosa succeed over the years. All those who have worn it are worthy of mention, but there are two riders I would like to name specifically: Alberto Contador and Vincenzo Nibali. This year the Giro will start from Turin where the Shark won his last Maglia Rosa in 2016, and we are ready to celebrate the new champions who will wear itā.
Vincenzo Nibali, 2013 and 2016 Giro dāItalia winner:Ā āFor me, the Giro dāItalia is an event that unites the country from north to south, touching not only the big cities but also the small villages. I won two editions and for me they were unforgettable emotions, especially the one in 2016 won together with an exceptional team. Cycling is an individual sport, but without a great team behind you it is impossible to achieve great resultsā.
Alessio Cremonese, CEO of MVC Group:Ā āManufacturing the jersey that stands as the symbol of Italian cycling in the world is a source of pride for us. In the company, we always feel great emotion when we see the Giro champions wearing our jerseys. As a company, we have always been committed to telling about Italy, made in Italy, and the style that everyone envies us through our products. The clean and elegant design of the jersey draws inspiration from the sinuous lines of Italian art and architecture, offering a visual tribute to the timeless beauty of Italyā.
Beppe Costa, President of Opera Laboratori (Cultural Art Supplier):āThe Giro, which has been crossing Italy from North to South for more than a century, is not only an event of extraordinary sporting value, but also a hymn to the beauty of the art and landscapes of our country. We are therefore honoured to be the cultural art supplier of this venture, where the values of art and sport come together, contributing in unison to promoting Italyās cultural heritage, in line with the mission that has always marked the entrepreneurial activity of Opera Laboratoriā.
Lorenzo Suraci, President of RTL 102.5:Ā āRTL 102.5 is thrilled to cross Italy far and wide with the Carovana Rosa. The Giro dāItalia is an unmissable event, highly awaited by everyone. For 10 years, RTL 102.5 has covered every nuance of it. This time we will involve listeners in every stage, narrating the beauty of our countryā. – www.giroditalia.it
