June 08, 2017 (Milan, Italy) – Pirelli returns to cycling and will launch a new line of road racing bike tires in mid-June for delivery this fall – the PZero Velo. The renowned Italian brand has also become a key sponsor of the 2017 U23 Giro d’Italia, June 9-15, awarding the Pirelli White Jersey. Founded by Giovanni Battista Pirelli in 1872 the company was a sponsor of the first edition of the Giro d’Italia in 1909.

Pirelli Launches its New PZero Velo Line of Racing Tires Dedicated to Cyclists who Love Performance
The PZero name evokes Pirelli’s iconic brand, for over thirty years a symbol of high technology, exclusive solutions and high performance. It is no coincidence then that Pirelli has chosen to identify the new range of tires designed for road racing bicycles with this famous brand.

The colour code of the new Pirelli tires tread also evokes PZero’s language from Formula One: Silver for Road Racing, red for the Time Trial and blue for the Four Seasons.

The range will be available in September this year and will be distributed in Europe, North America and Apac regions. The new tires can also be ordered online via the ecommerce site specially developed by the company, which aims to offer consumers digital services and tailor-made products.

The contents of the veloworld.pirelli.com site will also be tailor-made, created ad hoc to tell stories from the world of two wheels.

For the new range of high-performance bicycle tyres, Pirelli uses technological know-how matured in 110 years of competitions. Outstanding performances in the world of four- and two-wheel drive, has led Pirelli to be the only supplier of F1 single-seaters since 2011. Plus, the longest tyre supplier in the history of the Superbike World Championship and beyond to provide 350 national and international championships around the world.

Pirelli has been a part of glorious cycling success stories in the past. It’s enough to remember that in the first edition of Giro d’Italia (year 1909), the company was the partner of the event and 30 of the 49 finalists used the company’s tyres. Among the many famous cyclists that rode on Pirelli tyres at the time, one name is to mention: Fausto Coppi, that chose Pirelli tyres for his Bianchi bike.

“We are excited about this return to cycling – says Antonella Lauriola, COO Business Unit Velo Pirelli. “For our bike tyres, we draw on a unique heritage of knowledge, technology and sporting experience. Pirelli’s offer today is completed with tyres made for those consumers who look for innovative and technological bike products as they do for their cars and bikes. We chose to start from the racing segment, which is the most challenging in technical terms, but also the most consistent with our race-marked history. ”

The launch of PZero Velo to the international press will take place in mid-June, in the hi-tech frame of Pirelli’s testing centre in Milan. The new line of Pirelli bicycle tyres will also be on display at the Eurobike (D) show.

Pirelli Signs Partnership with the Under-23 Giro d’Italia Awarding the Pirelli White Jersey
Pirelli has become a key sponsor of the Under-23 Giro d’Italia. Having recently launched the new PZero Velo, a range of cycling tires designed for road bikes available from September, the Italian company has now announced a partnership with the youth tour.

Reborn after a four-year absence, the Under-23 Giro d’Italia will get underway from Imola (near Bologna) on 9 June and will end in Campo Imperatore (near L’Aquila), 2135 metres above sea level, on 15 June.

The winner will be awarded the pink jersey whereas the best young cyclist born in 1997 or 1998 will be given the Pirelli white jersey.

Pirelli returns to cycling and road races as a leading player. Following the partnership with the Giro d’Italia that is currently taking place, the company is now focusing on young athletes, as part of its 110-year-old sporting tradition.

Antonella Lauriola, Chief Operating Officer of Pirelli’s Velo business unit, said: “Pirelli is making a fresh start, focusing on young sportsmen. Aside from recognising the most promising young athletes in cycling, the white jersey is bringing Pirelli back to its roots. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, the Pirelli Grand Prix was inaugurated in cycling, dedicated to new generations and their commitment to sport.”

Davide Cassani, manager of the Italian national cycling team, added: “I am glad that a company born with the first bicycles, like Pirelli, chose the Under-23 Giro D’Italia to return to cycling, with a focus on up and coming athletes. We’re going to be keeping a very close eye on young athletes wearing the white jersey and we feel proud that a historic company like Pirelli accepted our invitation to institute this award”.