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Amore & Vita-Galatron in 1993: Love, Life and Cycling

The cycling team Love & Vita (Italian for “Love and Life”) was created in 1989 from the takeover of the Polish team Romet–Legia by the flamboyant Italian Ivano FaniniFanini gave the team a striking Christian-humanist character, emphasizing ethics, anti-doping, and life values. The team name became a manifesto: not a purely commercial brand name, but a mission—"Amore & Vita" symbolized purity and respect for life, on and off the bike.

The team was often a refuge for riders who had been written off elsewhere or needed a second chance. But it was also a breeding ground for talented riders who dared to think outside the box.

In 1993 the team rode under the name Amore & Vita-Galatron, of Galatron (an Italian sanitary ware manufacturer) as co-sponsor. During that period, the team had a striking international character, with riders from Italy, Eastern Europe, and sometimes even the US or Latin America. They primarily competed in smaller European races and lower-division Italian races, but they became popular for their attacking style and idealistic nature.

Although the team didn't compete at the highest ProTour level in 1993, it was known as a colorful, unconventional team. It often served as a springboard for riders on their way to bigger teams, or as a safe haven for those who had been set back by injuries, suspensions, or personal setbacks.

The 1990s were a difficult time for cycling due to the rise of doping and commercial pressure, but Amore & Vita stuck to its values—sometimes against the grain, always with passion. The 1993 team wasn't a winning machine, but it did embody the spirit of cycling as an art of living.