(PRIMASPORT) ROME – The Italian Paralympic cycling team was among the protagonists of the award ceremony Golden Collars for Sporting Merit, the highest honor in Italian sport, hosted at the CONI "Giulio Onesti" Olympic Training Center in Rome. The honored athletes included Andrea Biancalani, para-cycling world champion in the C4 category, and Fabrizio Cornegliani, handbike athlete and federal councilor of the FCI, who received the Diploma of Honor after having already been awarded the Golden Collar in previous years.
The ceremony celebrated the key figures in the sporting successes of 2026, along with coaches, managers, and clubs. CONI President Luciano was present. Buonfiglio, the Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi and the President of the Italian Paralympic Committee Marco Giunio De Sanctis.
For Andrea Biancalani, 26, riding for Beltrami TSA Tre Colli, has won the Collare d'Oro at the end of a splendid year. The Italian rider won the UCI World Cup circuit, took European gold in the road race in Maniago, and finally the world title in Huntsville, Alabama. The world championship victory was the final piece in a season of great consistency, with three finishes confirming his growth at the top of the C4 category.
Fabrizio too Cornegliani, Cornegliani, who was unable to attend the ceremony for family reasons, enjoyed a successful 2026. In the H1 handbike category, he won two gold medals at the European Championships in Maniago, in the time trial and the road race, before winning the road world title in Huntsville, Alabama. His list of achievements also includes a gold medal in the time trial at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Having already received the Collare d'Oro in previous years, this year Cornegliani received the Diploma of Honor, a recognition provided by the regulations for sporting merit for athletes who have already received the highest honor in the past. Since 2025, he has also been a federal councilor of the Italian Cycling Federation, a role he combines with his competitive activity.
Representing the Italian Cycling Federation were the president Cordiano Dagnoni and the technical commissioner of the National Paracycling Team Pierpaolo Addesi.
“What makes me happy, beyond the results, is seeing two athletes who have been able to give continuity to their work and transform it into successes at the highest levels.” President Cordiano declared Dagnoni. And he added: “Andrea has built a remarkable season, winning the World Cup, European Championships, and World Championships. Fabrizio has once again confirmed his qualities and, with his dual commitment as an athlete and federal councilor, he knows well how important it is to work for the future of our movement. I'm very sorry Fabrizio couldn't be with us today, but I extend my congratulations to both of them: they are two different paths, united by the ability to challenge themselves and continue to improve. I also thank CONI, the Italian Paralympic Committee, and the Ministry of Sport and Youth for their support of sport and the work of the Federations, which is essential in accompanying athletes on their growth paths and towards new goals. (PRIMASPORT)