From the heart of Milan: the Italian tour begins
Marie Olyve | 18. June 2025
Milan, June 16th, 4 PM.
It’s quite hot today in Milan. Marcello, Giulio, and Luca — the three Country Managers of igus Italia — are waiting for the guests to arrive. The igus:bike proudly stands below the Arco della Pace, in the center of the piazza.
Media partners finally gather at the Arco della Pace, on the edge of Parco Sempione, ready to witness the official start of the Italian leg of the tour. Marcello delivers a brief speech, reminding everyone that we are here not only to come together and celebrate 60 years of igus success, but also to highlight the core mission of this World Tour: promoting a truly circular economy and showcasing the benefits of igus motion plastics.
After a few words, a friendly exchange and an “orange aperitivo” with the journalists, it’s time for our first rider, Giulio, to get on the saddle and start pedaling. The journey begins with a few kilometers through Parco Sempione, the green heart of Milan, stopping briefly in front of the imposing medieval Castello Sforzesco. The ride then continues toward Brera — a Milanese district renowned for its artistic spirit. But there’s no time to pause: Luca is waiting a bit further ahead to take over — or better said, to pass the handlebar — and continue the ride through the heart of Milan.
The route reflects the image of the igus:bike in the elegant windows of Via Montenapoleone and the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, home to Italy’s most prestigious luxury fashion brands. In the distance, we catch sight of Il Duomo, its majestic Gothic silhouette. As evening comes, the temperature cools and Marcello takes over for the final mile of this exciting first stage. It’s hard to imagine a better start to the two weeks ahead.
Stay tuned!
Our riders:
Giulio Ferrante
My name is Giulio Ferrante, I’m 54 and I’m from Veduggio – a village not far from Monza Brianza. As Country Manager, I lead operations in Italy. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities such as trekking or climbing, and I love biking… Basically, I love anything with wheels! I chose to join to see this innovative igus:bike on our roads and to watch how people react.
Luca Bonfanti
I’m Luca Bonfanti, a “young” Gen Xer, with 25 years at igus, working in Finance and HR. I love motorbikes, listening to music, and acting in theater. I’m happy to join the Bike Tour: riding a green bike to celebrate igus’ 60 years is a great way to mix celebration and sustainable innovation.
Marcello Mandelli
I’m Marcello Mandelli, 51, from Robbiate. I manage igus Italy daily with Giulio, Luca, and a whole skilled team. When I was a bit more “fit” physically, I did diving, biking, hiking, skiing. Beside sports, I love finding “special” restaurants. I’m on the tour to promote a product that supports the circular economy and recycled plastics – a green challenge full of opportunities.
Map of the tour
