2025 Vermont Gran Fondo
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Selle Italia and Maratona Dles Dolomites-Enel:  NEW ECO Handlebar Tape for all 9,000 Participants

The long-standing partnership between Selle Italia and the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel is enriched this year by a new initiative: to equip all participants with the new Smart Tape, the eco-friendly handlebar tape, directly in the race pack. The project involves the distribution of 9,000 pieces to all registered participants!

Selle Italia and Maratona Dles Dolomites-Enel:  NEW ECO Handlebar Tape for all 9,000 Participants

There are only a few days to go until the start of the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel, a unique and coveted granfondo that sees thousands of cyclists challenge seven of the Dolomites' most iconic passes every year, from the “easier” Campolongo to the more difficult Sella, Gardena, Pordoi, Giau, Falzarego, and Valparola.

Selle Italia will be present this year too at the event on Sunday, 2 July, with start and finish in Alta Badia, this time with a special initiative, as told by Giuseppe Bigolin, Chairman of the Italian-based company: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate our long partnership with the Marathon with a great innovation allowing the many amateurs who have registered for the race to test the new Smart Tape handlebar tape from the Greentech collection. A project perfectly aligned with the Marathon's ideals of environmental stewardship.

Since 2021, Selle Italia’s offering has included several sustainable, low-impact products developed using Greentech production techniques. A focus on the environment also shared by the Maratona dles Dolomites-Enel, which has obtained Green Event certification, a title bestowed by the province of Bolzano for initiatives whose preparation, organisation and implementation are carried out in accordance with sustainability requirements.

“All participants will receive the new Smart Tape directly in their race pack,” continues Andrea Buzzavo, General Manager of Selle Italia. “Smart Tape is a unique handlebar tape because it is made without the traditional inner strip of double-sided tape, but rather using a system we have developed in-house.

Selle Italia will offer 9,000 handlebar tapes for the 2023 Marathon, equal to the number of amateur competitors.

The Smart Tape is a new addition to the Greentech line and comes as a single strip with an integrated cap made of the same material, which is inserted into the handlebar end, making it easier to apply. The tape is made without the typical inner strip of double-sided adhesive: its uniqueness lies in the special micro “suction cup” structure that compensates for the lack of glue and allows the tape to be reused once removed from the handlebar.

With a thickness of 2.5 millimetres it guarantees comfort and superior grip and saves up to 20% of the time needed to wrap the handlebars.

According to a study by the Italian start-up Up2You, with which Selle Italia collaborated on the study and analysis of the company's CO2 emissions as part of its commitment to decarbonisation, producing a Smart Tape involves the emission of 0.72kg di CO2, 24% less than a standard handlebar tape produced outside the European Union.

About Selle Italia

Selle Italia is the Italian leader in the design and manufacture of bike saddles. Established in 1897, it has operated in the sector for over 120 years and is headquartered in Asolo, Veneto, Italy. Each year, a million of the company’s products are sold around the world; products which are unique in terms of performance, comfort and design.

For more information, please visit: selleitalia.com

About the Maratona dles Dolomites

About If there is one European Gran Fondo that you must ride at least once in your lifetime, it is the Maratona dles Dolomites. The Dolomites are one of the most beautiful and dramatic mountain ranges in the world and offer world class cycling in summer. 

With three distances to choose from (55, 106 or 138 kms) all three courses of the Maratona will have you conquering the famous Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena passes. The shortest route includes 1,780 meters of climbing while the longest course tackles 4,280 vertical metres for a truly epic ride. You’ll feel the excitement when you ride as one of 9,000 cyclists, with the entire course closed to traffic.

The organization of this event is second to none.

For more information, please visit: maratona.it/en