June 23, 2014 (Toronto, ON) – Team Revolution, a new cycling team comprised of 75 cyclists from every walk of life, recently held a fundraiser party at the Switch Lounge in downtown Toronto and Pedal was on site to get the scoop.

Founded on a commitment to raise funds for the construction of the new Humber River Regional Hospital at Keele St. & Hwy 401, Team Revolution has committed to raise over $1 million dollars through 2014.

Frank Ciccolini, a director with the Humber River Regional Hospital foundation, and his friend Marco Di Battista formed Team Revolution two years ago (see interview further below). As more members joined the group decided to complete the gruelling 135km Granfondo in Carpi, Italy in October 2012. Through blood, sweat, and tears, the whole team crossed the finish line with the goal of supporting the new Humber River Hospital.

Team Revolution is made up of cyclists who compete at various skill levels, but share the common goals of training, and fundraising for the hospital. There are group rides every weekend through the streets of Toronto, York Region, Peel Region and Durham Region in order to put in the needed training to prepare for the big ride that awaits them in Piacenza, Italy in September.

Active in many local charity rides and events as well throughout the season Team Revolution has been proud to participate and support the Villa Charities Giro, The Ride For Karen, Meta Foundation Granfondo, The Bild Ride, and many others.

Bianchi Canada recently signed on as sponsor to support Team Revolution and presented a beautiful collector’s special limited edition Bianchi Oltre XR Gimondi 70 . Felice Gimondi, who turned 70 on September 29th, was the second cyclist in history to win all three Grand Tours – The Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España.

Bianchi is celebrating his longevity with a special, limited edition of their Oltre XR racing road bike. Only 70 will be made, and they’ll have bits of the frame painted the same blue Gimondi wore on his Bianchi jersey back in the day. It also happens to be the same color as the sapphire, his birthstone.

A live auction was held during the successful evening at the Switch Lounge for this special bike and it went to very lucky Italo Lunardo.

In September of 2014 Team Revolution will be participating in the 2014 Granfondo Scott in Piacenza, Italy in September. Now with a total of 75 members, all are committed to fundraising and training for the Granfondo this coming September.

Team Revolution has also grown its corporate sponsor support led by Raymond James, a leader in the financial services industry, and includes valued partnerships with Campari, CIBC, Sun Life Financial, Peel Fiat, Active Green & Ross and now Bianchi Bicycles.

More info about Team Revolution here.

http://youtu.be/EywfDJExrXA