INTERVIEW


Pirelli Cycling: Blending Motorsport Expertise with Sustainable Innovation


Samuele Bressan, Head of Global Marketing of the Cycling Division at Pirelli shares insights into the brand’s strategic relaunch in 2017, their “professional kitchen” approach to tyre production in Italy, and how pro team feedback is balanced with internal testing to meet diverse rider needs. As well as touching on their commitment to sustainable materials.


What’s the story behind what you’ve achieved since your relaunch in the cycling market in 2017? Pirelli approached the cycling category with a combination of good planning and good execution. We maintained an open mindset, and we were keen to learn, instead of imposing fixed ideas.


Aligned with all Pirelli product development projects, we set


up a program that puts performance at the centre and used our industrial and technical know-how to produce the best cycling products possible. The Pirelli Motorsport philosophy ensures we strive to deliver best-in-class products, designed and manufactured to the highest standard with no compromises.


36 | August 2025


You are now making more tyres in Italy at the Bollate factory close to your Milan HQ. What are the advantages of this?


Rubber is a lot like cooking: with the right recipe, the finest ingredients, and a skilled chef, you can create a delicious dish. But there’s still one crucial factor - the kitchen. A professional kitchen, compared to a simple campfire setup, can make a significant difference in the final result. Even with all the right elements in place, food cooked on a campsite can taste great, but it will taste even better when prepared in a well-equipped, professional kitchen. The same applies to tyres. The manufacturing plant, with its advanced processes, skilled people, and precise


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