Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling’s Giorgia “Gio” Bronzini was born on August 3, 1983 in Piacenza, Italy. The 3 time World Champion first found herself on two wheels at the young age of 10 with gentle persuasion from her keen cycling father. In her junior years, cycling was very much done out of passion and for fun as at the time, the young Italian was a competitive gymnast. In 1994 she joined her first cycling team, Il Gruppo Sportivo Zeppi , a local club in Piacenza. Bronzini continued to ride for several other local club teams until 2001 when she joined the highly recognised Italian Top Girls Fassa Bortolo team. In 2003 she signed her first professional contract with the Safi Pasta Zara team.
Bronzini’s natural talent on two wheels brought her much success as a junior, collecting several Italian National titles both on the road and in mountain biking. Her early displays of talent, complemented by her exceptional work ethic and determination, gave Bronzini her first taste of International success in 2011, when she was crowned Junior World and European Champion in her pet event on the track – the Points Race. Competing in her first Junior Road World Championships that same year in Lisbon, she went on to place fourth in the Individual Time Trial and a very respectable fifth place in the Road Race.
From her early success as a junior, Bronzini’s list of palmares has grown exponentially. The Italian legend has claimed over 70 victories on the road, with her most memorable results including her two World Road Cycling Championships won in 2010 and 2011.
“I consider my second World Title as my biggest achievement in my career thus far. Not only because I beat the best riders in the World in an uphill sprint but also because the second one is always more difficult as everyone is looking to you and your team to do all the work,” explains Bronzini.
Giorgia has also collected multiple stage wins in the most arduous tours in women’s professional cycling including the Giro d’Italia Donne, Holland Ladies Tour, Trophee D’Or and Tour of Qatar adding to her victories in renowned one-day Classics such as the Ronde van Drenthe and the GP Dottignies.
In addition to her impressive road results, the diverse all-rounder has managed to balance a remarkable career on the track during which in 2009 she complemented her numerous Italian National Championships with a World Title in the Points Race.
Competing on behalf of Italian teams for the extent of her career to date, the veteran Italian joins the British registered Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling as one of the team’s lead riders and will serve as a role model to the younger riders. “Gio” is looking forward to the experience and the opportunity to be part of a new movement in women’s professional cycling.
“I’m very enthusiastic about this new experience. I feel ready for this step and I’m expecting a lot from next season. Without the rainbow jersey, I’ll have less pressure and more possibility.
“I’m not used to such an organization! Usually the Italians are not known for being structured. Besides that I didn’t always feel very good in some Italian teams. Within this team everything is scheduled to a precise date and hour. It’s new for me, but I think it’s good so everybody knows what they are up too. And it will be a challenge for me to practise my English,” Bronzini commented.
Bronzini and Gilmore developed a friendship since 2003, racing together for the Italian team Ausra Gruodis – Safi. Since their time as teammates, Bronzini and Gilmore have gone on to become very accomplished riders in their own right and along the way have developed a great deal of respect for each other’s achievements both on and off the bike. When Gilmore approached the Italian about the prospect of being part of her new project, Bronzini didn’t hesitate in making her decision.
“When Rochelle asked if I wanted to be involved in her new project I didn’t had to think about it and immediately said yes. I respect her and since we turned professional our friendship has been very good. I am bringing experience to the team, but also a bit of Italian style. I always try to be positive and bring a smile on riders’ faces. I like to be on a team where the riders are relaxed and enjoy each other’s company.”
For Bronzini it is very important to have another Italian and a good friend Beatrice Bartelloni joining her on the Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling team. “Beatrice is a very young, promising and strong rider. It is important for me to have her on the team because we are good friends and it helps me to have someone to talk with in my own language to clear my head.”
One of the main goals for “Gio” will be the Giro Donne (28/6-7/7) and the World Championships in Florence, Italy.
“I hope to win a few stages in the Giro D’Italia. It is one of my favourite races. After that I will prepare myself for the World Championships in Florence (Toscana) because Toscana is my favourite region in Italy. Although I look forward to the World Championships I don’t think about winning my third rainbow jersey yet. It is a hard race and likely not for sprinters but I would like to be there and do a good race for my country and I believe that the many fans and cheers will give me extra power.
“I hope to be an important rider in some hard races and to give my knowledge and experience to the younger girls.”
Before joining her Wiggle Honda teammates in the Belgium Classics, Bronzini will be lining up in the Scratch and Points Races at the Track World Cycling Championships in Minsk, Belarus. The Italian is realistic about her chances of reclaiming her World Title however those who have followed Bronzini’s illustrious career to date know that a second Track World Championship title is more than a pipedream for this feisty Italian.
“I will see what level I am in the final preparation for the Worlds. The Tour of Qatar was definitely an ideal preparation to build form. I will give my maximum and I hope it is enough to collect a medal.”
For more information on Giorgia and the rest of the team at Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling, check out the official website at www.dreamteamprocycling.com
Follow Giorgia on Twitter: @GiorgiaBronzini
