Bike Festival Riva del Garda: The Expo area moves to a new site
A medium-sized shockwave swept through the bike community over the weekend: Is the Bike Festival on Lake Garda about to be cancelled? No. But there will be a new site for the Expo area. Namely the neighbouring sports area in the direction of Brione. Together with the park-like meadow area in front of it, it should offer enough space for all exhibitors and there will also be direct access to the lake, including a kiosk.
The organisers are currently not allowed to use the original site, the Area ex Cattoi in Riva del Garda. The owners of the site, VR 101214 S.r.l., have stated in a press release that they will not be making the site available for the 2025 edition of the two festivals. This decision comes as a surprise to the organisers of APT Garda Dolomiti and the entire region, who are now faced with the challenge of finding a suitable space to accommodate the exhibitors' expo area.
The owners of the VR 101214 S.r.l. site, led by Heinz Peter Hager and Paolo Signoretti, are part of the so-called "Romeo" investigation into the case of property entrepreneur and Signa founder René Benko. According to suedtirolnews.it, a total of 77 people are being investigated. The public prosecutor's office in Trento suspects Benko of being the "leader of a mafia-like criminal organisation". According to the Trentino public prosecutor's office, Benko was at the head of the criminal organisation, supported by the two owners of the Riva site, the Bolzano tax consultant Heinz Peter Hager and the entrepreneur Paolo Signoretti.
According to the South Tyrolean website, the case is spreading: The mayor of Riva del Garda, Cristina Santi, has lodged an appeal against the house arrest imposed on Hager and Signoretti and 6 other people. She is also refusing to resign. According to suedtirolnews.it, Santi is suspected of having promoted several non-transparent construction projects.
Search for alternatives
Oskar Schwazer, Director of APT Garda Dolomiti, was combative despite the difficult situation. "We are trying to enter into a dialogue with the company," he confirmed to the Italian website La Busa. However, according to the Trentino press release, a very obvious solution has now been found: The sports ground next to the old festival site is available. Even if the organisers have to pay rent to the owner for the first time.
Significance for the region
The Bike Festival is not only important for cycling enthusiasts, but has developed into a festival for the entire Upper Lake Garda community. "We have created an important catering area thanks to the cooperation with local associations," explains Schwazer. The event has great relevance, not only from a tourist point of view, but has also become a great community festival.
However, there are also critical voices from the local population who complain about the large number of undisciplined cyclists in the town and on the mountain paths. This challenge must be taken into account when planning future events in order to find a balance between the interests of visitors and locals.
Marc Strucken
Editor
