Cycling - Mourning for the historic sponsor. Fanini: "Berti signed my triumphs"

"He was the historic sponsor of my team's world triumphs". The city is in mourning for the death of the well-known Lucca businessman Enzo Berti which, in addition to being part of that generation that made the history of Lucca entrepreneurship, with its brands "Elia Berti & Figli and "Berti Arredamenti" sponsored the Fanini team, becoming, in the 70s and 80s, a symbol of successes never repeated by any team, leaving a deep mark in the history of Cycling with those colours that, in the amateur categories, all the most promising Italian cyclists aspired to wear.

"For me Enzo was an extra brother – says the owner of “Amore & Vita” with emotion Ivan Fanini – and even when I founded my professional teams in 1984, I wanted to include him among the official sponsors. As we climbed the ranks, his sponsorship contributed to significantly increasing the value of the brand. Like me, he was pushing himself into entrepreneurship in search of success and we were united by ambition and sacrifice to always climb higher. Many of my cyclists' jerseys with the sponsorship of “Elia Berti & figli” and “Berti Arredamenti” have become, over time, iconic pieces and those who have worn them will remain in history for being the only ones to succeed".

"We were the promoters – Fanini continues – of a historic partnership between the Fanini brothers and the Berti brothers who, in the various categories, boast more than a thousand members and over a thousand victories".

"When we say world champions, we are referring, in particular, to the titles won in the junior category with Rolf Sorensen, Soren Lilholt and Alex Pedersen. Cyclists who contributed with determination to achieving success through passion and perseverance - adds Ivano Fanini - becoming an example also in their countries of origin and, thanks to the trust that the Fanini brothers gave them, they managed to win on the road in the national championships and in some of the most coveted Italian classics. The Italian titles in the '70s and '80s, as well as the Tuscan and provincial ones, are countless".

"In all cycling seasons, in Segromigno in Piano, where the team was based with Michele Fanini who prepared the bikes, there was a constant coming and going of cyclists of every category. All this - concludes Fanini - even before I founded the first professional team that no longer exists. A team that taught the world, making young talents grow and mature, then making them professionals and launching them towards a glorious career".

Among them the unforgettable Cesare Cipollini, Michele Bartoli, Jan Petersen, Andrea Tafi and Pierangelo Morelli. Historic "ds" have gone on to manage the various teams and, among them, the Danish Ole Ritter, Stefano Bendinelli, Luigi Di Giulio, Ettore Giglioli, Marino Picciafochi, Primetto Biagi and Piero Pieri. "Fanini Berti Arredamenti" thanks to Ivano Fanini, was also the sponsor on the shirts of the "Coppi Lunata" of Porcari, Bozzano, "Fanini-Berti-Lucchese" and others even outside the provincial territory.

Massimo Stefanini