Until the 1960s, cycling remained the most popular sport in Italy. Crowds would line the streets to witness the fleeting passage of their heroes, while in bars people debated the latest stage of the current race. This bicycle fever became a real social phenomenon and the Graziella a status symbol for young people during the economic boom.<\/p>\n
This success led Pirelli to strengthen its presence in the cycling sector with products destined for new emerging sectors. It also led to the opening \u2013 in 1961 \u2013 of Pirelli Sicilia SpA, a new plant in Villafranca Tirrena. Here, the company relocated an entire, autonomous bicycle production line designed to satisfy both the domestic and export markets. The plant, covering about 30.000 square metres, started production in 1964 with state-of-the-art automation and systematic checks at every stage of processing. Fourteen years later, the Azienda Pneumatici Moto-Velo, for motorbike and bicycle tyres, was established. It was eventually decommissioned in the 1990s, along with the line for bicycle tyres.<\/p>\n
The Pirelli plant in Bollate, opened just outside Milan in 1962 for car tyres, is now the only facility in Italy to produce \u201cMade in Italy\u201d bicycle tyres on an industrial scale. Since 2022, it has been dedicated to the most advanced Pirelli Cycling lines, including the P ZERO\u2122 Race, Scorpion\u2122 XC RC e Cinturato\u2122 Gravel<\/strong>, as well as tyres for professional teams. Proximity to Pirelli\u2019s headquarters and R&D centre favours the rapid development of new technological solutions. The factory stands out for its high level of automation and robotisation, which guarantee precision and consistent quality. Expertise in motorsport and high-performance tyres is rapidly transferred to the cycling world.<\/p>\n Since 2024, all tyres produced use FSC-certified natural rubber, complying with sustainability standards. A radical transformation of the production site is now under way, with the aim of establishing the brand in the cycling sector. This process involves the gradual installation of new machinery, the prototyping of new products and manufacturing processes, and the launch of an intensive training programme to develop new skills. The overhaul focuses on the excellence and value of the \u201cMade in Italy\u201d label. It also benefits from the experience and promotion gained through collaboration with top-tier professional road cycling and MTB teams.<\/p>\n Pirelli has thus returned to its roots, rekindling an age-old connection with a sport that continues to captivate millions worldwide. It is a commitment that promotes new sustainable mobility partnerships and the use of bicycles also in urban settings.<\/p>