The ‘Chase the Sun’ isn’t just a ride, it’s something very different. From sunrise to sunset. The port of Cesenatico and the sands of Tirrenia. The Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts. Team Esplora took part in the event that crosses Italy with 282 kilometers of breathtaking landscapes, following the sun as the only guide. Thanks to Briko, we collected the emotions of this experience, and listened to the testimonies of the Esplora Team, represented by Davide Ciarletta. His flow of thoughts allows us to understand the ‘Chase the Sun’ uniqueness and to introduce the evocative visual narrative created by the Esplora lenses.

The ‘Chase the Sun’ experience.

“It is the most romantic race in Italy, especially in terms of scenery. It is organized at a symbolic time, during the third week of June, at the summer solstice. I think starting at dawn, next to the sea, with that kind of sun, is something unique. We traveled 280 kilometers, passing through the heart of Italy, discovering wonderful villages and eating typical things. It was a new thing for Esplora, because we don’t usually take part in road events. We realized how small and diverse our country is. In 280 kilometers, territories, cultures, sensations change. We even touched two seas. No wonder so many foreign riders were captivated, just the idea of passing through the homeland of Leonardo Da Vinci, Florence or Pisa is something incredibly fascinating…”

The sun, the emotions, the images.

“The sun gives a dreamlike, almost spiritual connotation to the combination of cycling and Italian landscapes that are able to nourish your heart. It has been rising and setting for millions of years, but we don’t often think about it. The energy of this element is unique. I like to think that we are rays of light, because our existence, as well as our energy, are determined by the sun. I love the sun-moon juxtaposition, which is related to the male-female duality. When I meditate on this theme, Hang Massive’s song ‘The Secret Kissing of the Sun and the Moon’ resonates in my mind. ‘Chase the Sun’ also allowed us to feel the history of each area, visit picturesque perched villages, and immerse ourselves in beautiful hills. If we’d stopped to admire everything, we wouldn’t be able to complete the ride.”

Briko and the future.

“We joined this event thanks to Briko. It created the preconditions for our presence and provided us with a number of products, such as Aero Plus helmets and a new collection of super-breathable socks. This synergy continues ahead of our next trip. After Nepal we want to try the adventure in Mongolia. It will be even more difficult. During the ‘Chase the Sun’ we were at home, in our comfort zone. In Nepal the experience was harder, but in Mongolia it will be extreme. We won’t be able to plan everything as usual, there are many unknowns, and on the various GPS there are no marked trails. We are currently planning a route in the Khangai Mountains area, which are just below Russia. We will still ride with Giuseppe Papa: in Nepal he has officially become part of Team Explore.”