BiciScuola makes its debut at Il Giro d'Abruzzo

The involvement of children in BiciScuola 2025, RCS Sport’s major educational initiative designed to bring young students closer to cycling, its values, and the Giro d’Italia, continues to grow. Participation is open not only to primary school students in the provinces hosting stages of the Giro d’Italia and the Giro-E, but also to those in provinces involved in early-season spring races.

This year, for the first time, the program also includes Il Giro d’Abruzzo, which is currently underway until April 18. Over the past two years, the project has expanded to include additional cycling events, including those in the autumn, with the aim of extending its duration and increasing school participation across a broader range of provinces. Since its inception, the initiative has aimed to: raise awareness among children about cycling as a symbol of a healthy lifestyle, promote fair play and ethical behavior in sports, highlight the importance of kindness, respect, and good manners, and emphasize how a healthy and balanced diet supports both mental well-being and physical growth.

Participating classes are asked to create a project based on one of the themes proposed by the BiciScuola committee. The best submission is awarded during a special ceremony on the day of the race at the stage’s start or finish location—an unforgettable experience for the winning class.

Returning once again is popular TikToker Marco Martinelli, known online as @marcoilgiallino, who has been a BiciScuola ambassador for several years. His exclusive lessons for children, both online and at selected stages (Pisa and Rome), combine science and entertainment in a unique way.

The numbers of Biciscuola

Now in its 23rd edition, BiciScuola has involved over 1.72 million children, including 65,000 last year alone, with around 800 teachers actively supporting the initiative in participating schools.

To date, 2,300 classes have registered, representing 42 Italian provinces. The highest numbers come from: Naples (218 classes), Turin (186 classes), Rome (164 classes), Vicenza (117 classes).

Abruzzo leads with the highest number of participating classes (245), broken down by province as follows: L’Aquila 75, Chieti 26, Pescara 28, Teramo 116.

Following Abruzzo are Piedmont (235), and then Campania and Lombardy (218 each).

The 2025 partners

POLIZIA STRADALE will once again support BiciScuola, present with their blue bus at stage starts to teach young participants the basics of road safety and new rules of sustainable mobility. Officers will also be at finish areas to continue their educational outreach.

CONAD, already sponsor of the Giro d’Italia’s Maglia Bianca (Best Young Rider), has joined BiciScuola to reinforce its commitment to younger generations. Through its “We Support the Future” initiative, Conad promotes community development and growth. Their guiding principle: no goal is achievable—on or off the road—without respecting and understanding the communities they serve.

CONTINENTAL, a premium tire brand and long-time supporter of major cycling events, has renewed its partnership with RCS Sport through 2027, including with BiciScuola. The company emphasizes road safety through significant investments in R&D, supporting safe, affordable, and eco-friendly mobility. Each participating class receives a free kit that includes a Continental mobility poster.

NOVI, official chocolate supplier of the Giro d’Italia, will engage the public with tastings and fun activities. The “In Giro con Novi” contest runs through July 13 in select supermarkets. Novi’s mascot, Nocciolino, will appear in the Starting Villages.

KOMETA, agri-food partner of the Giro, promotes healthy eating habits. This year’s edition features plenty of infotainment content, with the return of Kometina, the superheroine of nutrition, and interactive games teaching children the value of proper diet in a fun way.

MOST, the National Center for Sustainable Mobility, is a key player in reshaping the future of eco-conscious transport. Comprising 24 universities, the CNR, and 24 companies, MOST launches “Discover Eko, the Super Bike!” in 2025—a storytelling journey where children meet Eko, a bicycle dreaming of becoming an e-bike to help save the planet. The story promotes energy awareness, sustainability, and teamwork, supported by digital platforms and teaching guides that encourage creativity, collaboration, and environmental responsibility.