Every avid cyclist knows that the journey is as important as the destination. Bike Division, a tour operator specializing in cycling trips, understands this better than anyone. Founded with the aim of offering unforgettable experiences on two wheels, Bike Division has become a fundamental point of reference for cyclists who cultivate their passion far from home.
To learn more about this reality, we had a chat with Andrea Tonti, an important name in Italian cycling, as well as the founder and soul of Bike Division.
Professional (1999 to 2010) and sports director (2011 to 2014) Andrea Tonti has always raced with Italian teams, such as Saeco, Lampre, Acqua & Sapone, Quick Step, obtaining several victories and contributing to Gilberto Simoni's successes in the Giro d'Italia in 2003 and Damiano Cunego in 2004.
Hi Andrea, when was Bike Division born and why, what pushed you to undertake this project?
Bike division was born in 2010, at the end of my career, Michela (my wife) already had a tour operator. We started to create this business by combining our skills. My main contribution was knowledge of the needs that a cyclist or cycle tourist may have and of the destinations, having also traveled a lot in recent years.
What is your philosophy when it comes to organizing cycling trips?
We always look for interesting places from a tourist point of view and routes, for those who love cycling, possibly finding good temperatures to pedal comfortably, and where there may be attractions or places of interest also for companions.
What type of trips do you offer and what are the most popular destinations among your customers?
We offer different types of trips. On the one hand we organize trips linked to both professional events, such as the northern classics (Flanders, Rubaix, Amstel, Liège), the Strade Bianche, the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia. We also organize cycling tourism events in which we choose a destination and go to training camps, like in February in Gran Canaria or in autumn in Tenerife, or even cycling tours to discover an area, like in Prosecco, in the Marche, in Sicily, and in many other interesting locations.
Without forgetting that we are also organizers of the Granfondo "5000" in Porto Recanati.
Who are your trips designed for?
Our trips are designed for those who have a passion for cycling, for cycling, for those who want to participate in both competitive and cycling events, and this year we have also started doing Gravel events! To date, 90% of our events are on road bikes and 10% on gravel, which we will however expand.
They are designed for those who love to travel, love to discover, be in company and share this passion for cycling, and why not also go and discover national food and wine.
In short, they are for people who like to feel good and not think about anything else, receiving a complete service: our customers don't have to worry about anything: they are always accompanied, organized and managed as a group.
All they have to do is ride and have fun!
How do you choose the routes for your tours?
We choose the routes based on the type of event: obviously, if we participate in a granfondo at an organized event, we bring our own but we don't have to take care of the routes.
When it comes to the tours that we organize, however, we have two different types: one longer and more challenging route, and the other shorter, in order to satisfy cyclists of all levels. Today, with the introduction of the assisted bicycle, we are also able to provide that service for those who are less trained.
What is the most common feedback you receive from cyclists who participate in your trips?
The feedback is very positive! We like trips, people have fun, those who discover us never leave us: we have several cyclists who have done more than one trip a year for many years and it is always a pleasure to have them with us. Thanks to word of mouth and positive testimonials we have more and more cyclists signing up for our trips.
What news can we expect from Bike Division? What are the next destinations?
In 2024 we have two gravel events planned: one in October in Portugal, the other in November in Morocco.
We are also happy with the partnership with ClubMed: this year we will start organizing cycling events in their resorts. We will start with Alpe d'Huez in July and Morocco in November. We will also expand the ClubMed offering in 2025 with Andalusia and Sicily.
We are thrilled to announce that SPORTLAB Milano will be alongside those who pedal with Bike Division. To ensure that you are always at the top of your performance, cyclists participating in Bike Division tours will have the practical single-dose WARMUP CREAM and COOLDOWN CREAM at their disposal, essential for preparing the muscles before an intense ride and to promote recovery after any effort , always keeping you fit and ready for the next adventure. Plus, they will have access to an exclusive discount on the SPORTLAB Milano website.
Get ready to get on the saddle and discover the world with Bike Division!