The TX Active-Bianchi mountain bike team was presentedဣ at Lombardia Region's headquarters on Wednesday in Milan, Italy. The team, run by Felice Gimondi, is celebrating its 20th year of involvement in mountain biking.

Started in 1991, the Bianchi mountain bike team can cla𒐪im successes like Ju൲lien Absalon's Olympic gold medal in 2004.

Looking to the present, 25-year-old Frenchman Stephane Tempier, multiple-time Italian champion Cristian Cominelli a💝nd Portuguese racer Ricardo Marinheiro return with the squad. Tempier wa﷽s ranked 12th in the world by the UCI for 2010.

New signings include Tony ♒Longo and the youngste﷽r Gerhard Kerschbaumer, both from Italy. Kerschbaumer is considered one of the most promising Italian racers after he won world, European and Italian junior championship titles in 2009.

"We have built up a truly strong team," said Gimondi. "We'll mainly focus on cross country races after signing Longo and Kerschbaume𒁃r. We are proud to have Gerhard in our roster as he is definitely the future of the Italian mountain bike movement."

T🍸he elite team will be mana🃏ged by former professional rider Massimo Ghirotto.

"Alongside the elite team we will continue nurturing our young talents, without seeking success at any cost, acc꧃ording to our objectives and values," said Gim🍸ondi.

Th🐬e junior development team, run by Andrea Ferrero, includes cadets Federico Barri (2010 Italian Champion), Cristian Boffelli,༒ Chiara Teocchi, Giorgio Rossi (2011 Italian 'Cross Champion) and Oscar Vairetti.

"The Lombardy-bas🦩ed TX Active-Bianchi team... has always valued loyalty, honesty and fair pl🎃ay in all sports events," said Italcementi Communication Manager Lorenzo Colombo.

"We are confident that even in💃 2011, one year from the London Olympics, the TX Active-Bianchi team will keep Italy's flag flying."

The team will race Bianchi Methanol SL and SX mountain bikes. Bianchi's CEO Bob Ippolito said the riders' feedback and experience has played an importꦓant role in product and technology development.