Mapei.

When somebody that is not involved in the construction business hear this name he/she will immediately think about cycling.

Mapei has been one of the most famous sponsor of one of the most famous cycling team in history. At least in Europe and America.

An image that stucks in the memory of everybody who has been watching sport in the ninties:

The victory of Museeuw at the Paris-Roubaix of 1996.

Bortolami second, Tafi third. All Mapei's athletes.

In total Mapei has been sponsoring the team from 1993 to 2002, then the President, Mr. Giorgio Squinzi, decided he had enough of doping, that was really a bad habit in those years (and not only maybe).

We was lucky enough to meet Giorgio Squinzi in one of our visits in Milan, at Mapei's HQ, as we have been and still are dealing some Mapei products for concrete recycling, green and porous concrete related (Re-Con Zero series for concrete recyclin and Mapecube Geo).

Yes, because Mapei's main businesses are production and sales of products for construction, from adheives for tiles to concrete admixtures to materials for the construction of sport facilities.

This sport related field is an important asset in the Mapei Group, thanks to the love that Mr. Squinzi and his family had and still have for sports in general, from cycling to football.

For this reason , in 1996, Mr. Squinzi decided to open MAPEI Sport, a structure supported by the MAPEI Group world leader in the production of adhesives and chemical sports products for construction, a research center of excellence that operates in the field by carrying out scientific research and also multisectoral assistance to athletes in order to improve their performance.

Wanted in 1996 by Dr. Giorgio Squinzi, CEO of the MAPEI Group, in total harmony of thought and sporting philosophy with Prof. Aldo Sassi, co-founder of the Center, the MAPEI Sport project takes shape with the inauguration of the facility in 1998 MAPEI Sport was created to support the athletes of the MAPEI Professional Cycling Team who for a decade dominated the world cycling scene with scientific rationality and a correct ethical approach.

Over the years, in addition to continuing its activity in the cycling sector, the structure has expanded its areas of intervention by dedicating itself to other sports such as football (Mapei is sponsoring Sassuolo's team), basketball, running, golf, alpine skiing and motor sports, always maintaining its objectives unchanged.

( https://www.mapeisport.it/en/our-staff/ )

And so, as a sponsor of Eroica Japan 2024 ourselves, we are very proud that we have been able to help to bring this connection between Eroica and Mapei, that will be one of the main sponsor of the event.

And hopefully it will be also an occasion to remember Mr. Giorgio Squinzi, a man who loved cycling and helped a lot the whole cycling movement globally.

Alberto