Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Canberra, the night was dedicated to the 107th edition of Giro d’Italia, which begins on 4 May 2024 from the historic town Venaria Reale in Turin.

The three-week Grand Tour attracts some of the bravest cyclists for a race across the challenging terrains of Italy, showcasing the country’s beautiful landscapes along the way.

Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kieren Perkins OAM gave a welcome address which highlighted the bond between Australia and Italy across sport, as well as the strategic role of the AIS European Training Centre in Gavirate.

Following a speech from the Italian Ambassador, Paolo Crudele, the audience was then treated to a panel discussion between the ASC Chief Science Officer Dr. Paolo Menaspà, who has spent much of his professional life working in cycling, Olympic and Commonwealth Games cyclist Gracie Elvin, and five-time Giro rider Matteo Bono of Italy.

Drawing on their own experiences, the trio talked through how an athlete prepares for the multi-day race, the importance of a supportive team, and their thoughts on how the sport is changing today.