Stage 6: Gardens, cycling and Italian flavors

Michael Poepke | 5. March 2026

After several days on the road, some stages of the journey invite a different rhythm.

Stage 6 of the igus:bike worldtour in Brazil was one of those days… a moment to explore more of Curitiba, a city known not only for its industry and innovation, but also for its urban planning, green spaces and cultural traditions.

A morning near Curitiba’s most iconic landmark

The day began near one of the city’s most recognizable places: the Jardim Botânico de Curitiba.

Inspired by European gardens, the botanical garden is famous for its glass greenhouse and carefully designed landscape, one of the most visited landmarks in the city.

While bicycles cannot enter the garden itself, there is a place right next to it where cycling is very much part of the landscape: the Velódromo de Curitiba.

So that’s where the igus:bike found its track for the morning.

Riding at the velodrome

With the botanical garden just beside it, the velodrome became the stage for the next moments of the tour.

The contrast was striking: modern cycling infrastructure surrounded by one of Curitiba’s most iconic green spaces. From above, the drone captured both worlds, the circular rhythm of the track and the geometric lines of the botanical garden nearby.

It was a quieter moment compared to the mountain roads of the previous stage, but just as meaningful.

After days of highways, curves and descents, riding on the velodrome felt almost symbolic — a place designed purely for movement.

And movement, after all, is what this journey is all about.

A taste of Italian heritage in Santa Felicidade

Later in the day, the route continued to another well-known part of Curitiba: the traditional neighborhood of Santa Felicidade.

Founded by Italian immigrants in the late 19th century, Santa Felicidade became famous for its restaurants, wine culture and welcoming atmosphere.

Walking through the neighborhood, it’s easy to notice how strongly those roots remain present, from the architecture to the menus and the lively streets.

For the tour team, it was a chance to experience another side of the city: less about industry or landscapes, and more about culture, heritage and local life.

Discovering another side of Curitiba

Stage 6 offered a different perspective on the journey.

After industrial visits, mountain roads and historic towns, the day focused on experiencing the city itself, its parks, its cycling culture and its immigrant traditions.

Curitiba has long been known for combining urban planning with green spaces, and spending the day moving through those environments made it clear why the city is often considered one of Brazil’s most livable places.

The journey continues

Every stage of the igus:bike World Tour reveals a different layer of the places it visits.

Sometimes it is industry.
 Sometimes landscapes.
 Sometimes culture and everyday life.

In Curitiba, Stage 6 showed how all these elements can coexist in the same city.

And with the wheels still turning, the journey continues.

Our riders:

Miriam Araldi – Marketing Analyst at igus do Brasil 

My name is Miriam, I am 28 years old, and I have been part of the marketing team at igus Brazil since 2017. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how quickly time has passed and how much we have evolved since I started this journey at 19.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to closely follow the expansion of our brand in the Brazilian market. In marketing, my focus has been on the strategic prospecting of new clients through industrial campaigns and the organization of events that connect our solutions directly to our partners’ challenges. Seeing igus grow and knowing that I am one of the “entry points” for new clients to discover our technology is what motivates me every day.

I truly believe in our solution-driven mindset and our commitment to simplifying industrial processes through our products. A lot has evolved since I joined in 2017, but the partnership within the team and the technical quality of what we deliver remain our core pillars.

Marcelo Fialkowski – FGBU Specialist at igus do Brasil 

My name is Marcelo Fialkowski, and I have been part of igus Brazil since 2016.

Over the past three years, I have been responsible for the FGBU product line nationwide, overseeing six business units with high growth potential and applications across multiple industrial segments.

I began my journey with the drytech team, where I was responsible for the entire state of Paraná. With the region’s consistent growth, we structured the expansion of the team and now have three dedicated technical consultants supporting our local customers.

After 10 years representing igus, I remain motivated by constant innovation and by the challenge of driving new business, always focused on sustainable growth and value creation for the market.

Gabriel Volpato – Marketing analyst

My name is Gabriel, and I have been part of the igus Brazil marketing team since 2020, when I joined the company as an apprentice. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to grow alongside the company and evolve within the marketing area.

Today, I work with graphic design, video editing, and digital marketing initiatives, helping transform ideas into visual experiences that communicate the igus purpose. I enjoy being hands-on, learning new skills, and taking on challenges with enthusiasm, whether behind a camera, at the computer, or on the road.

Accompanying the igus Bike Tour throughout its entire journey is a unique opportunity for me to tell real stories, capture meaningful moments, and showcase how our brand connects with people, places, and innovation.

I am truly excited to be part of this experience and to help ensure that every stage of the tour becomes a memorable chapter in our story.

Map of this stage: