Gian Paolo Galloni: CYCLING INDUSTRY innovator working the hardest with one goal: making a difference! An entrepreneur and a manager with a unique mix of complementary experiences, a deep technical background and a hard-to-match passion. in Treviso, Veneto

I support leading companies in the (high-end/enthusiasts' level) Cycling Industry as a consultant of their top management, mostly in regard with Sales, Marketing and R&D department, often also developing, creating and personally test-riding products (prototypes and competitors' ones, too).

I created technical contents and proof-read other editors' stories at "Mountain Bike Action" monthly magazine and World's leading title since 1986. Furthermore, I supported "Electric Bike Action" magazine with bikes and components tests. Such tasks required a deep knowledge of the specific markets, some talent, deadlines management, standing and more, along with a constantly updated technology expertise about products, machining and materials, carbon fibers and 3D-Print comprised. In the end I sadly had to surrender and quit, asking to remove my name from the staff in order to defend and honor the reputation I believed I had built through decades of hard work. This happened when eventually realizing how there was no chance that the magazine editorial direction would ever be as technical as I wanted it to be. More than wanting it, I believed it was due and well deserved by readers, having proven it through my Italian Edition quite different approach and dedicated departments published on every issue. Specifically, I wanted to shed some more light on bike geometries, so different in relationship with the supposed use of the bike itself, and jargon.

GPR Publishing changed the course of history in the market in Italy, with repercussions in the USA as well. It happened when I took the challenge of bringing in Italy, in spite of a more than overcrowded (at the time) media environment, an American monthly magazine. A legendary one! I did it carrying a multitasking role in a publishing company I founded from scratch and with no previous specific experience. Nevertheless, my magazine and service immediately led the market with outstanding results, raising the bar way higher and becoming a new world's reference in many ways, mostly regarding thorough testing, product photography, magazine layout and innovative subscriptions offering and management. Being a small operation, I managed more or less personally any and every aspect of producing the magazine. I did it gladly and I am proud of it. And yes, I was already well tuned to "996" current definition of a workaholic approach. I also co-developed "Mountain Bike Action" first and then "Electric Bike Action" Czech Republic Editions in partnership with local publishers. Furthermore, I was involved with bikes and components tests at every level, from XCO through DH. Last but not least, I supported, as Contributing Editor, the restart of "Road Bike Action" magazine in the USA and main Int'l English-speaking markets. Unfortunately and unexpectedly, in mid 2022 l I was forced, along with many other publishers, to stop publishing as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the spiking up of printing costs more than doubled. The lack of any support from the government, in terms of energy taxes cut, aggravated the situation. I did not bankrupt my company. I paid every supplier as due and I reimbursed subscribers.

Pioneering modern e-commerce in Italy and changing the course of history in the market, I created the first High-End Bicycles Components Mail-Order business in my country. I did it from scratch and with no previous specific experience, while becoming immediately the main reference anyway. This was also because I brought in Italy (from the USA) brands and parts not yet available, while leveling RSP (Retail Suggested Prices) with the rest of Europe and offering a top-notch service, still unmatched. Bike Planet became famous also for its top quality custom-wheels offer, and for many other still unique custom services. I sold it in order to start my next business venture avoiding any conflict of interest.

I managed Sales and After-Sales Service to Authorized Dealers in Italy of this high-end and leading American Bicycles Manufacturer. I left Cannondale when asked to move to The Netherlands, in the town of Oldenzaal at the German boarder. I loved the brand and its people, but I couldn't take that position for family reasons. On the other hand, I did not feel comfortable spending so much of my time at the wheel of the company car, even if being it a very nice Volvo 850 in a red racing team graphic art.

I created GT Bicycles MTB Racing Team in Italy, enlisting Russian star and former World Champion Pavel (T)Cherka(s)sov (for some reason his name kept changing through the years) Other main sponsors I signed were RockShox, Giro, Time, Diadora and Oakley. Cherkasov was the most winning rider in Italy and among the Top-10 Worldwide, while American company GT Bicycles was one of the leading high-end Bicycles Manufacturers and still independently owned and managed. I left when otherwise forced by GT distributor in Italy to swap main sponsorship in favor of a very lesser brand, one just trying to build a name in the market with ethics I wasn't willing to share.

I managed Sales, Marketing and After-Sales Service in Italy for World's leading High-End Bicycles Wheels French and venerable (at the time) manufacturer. I strongly developed its business in my country, both on AM and OEM markets, but it couldn't stop the brand from moving into a new partnership with Vittoria (tires manufacturer). Hence I had no other choice than look for a new job.

I managed Sales, Marketing and After-Sales Service worldwide, with a special attention in developing company's presence in the Asian market. I was also Project-Leader in delivering its High-Precision Grinding Machines Flexible Manufacturing (turn-key) System to the Automotive Industry. I was promoted into this position when Mandelli Group bought the Italian branch of the company I was previously working for, Oerlikon Bührle (a CH Corporation). I left Saimp Sistemi, once world's 5th biggest machine tools industry, when unfortunately disagreeing with the technical and commercial directions chosen by company's top management, taking Saimp first into entering receivership and then going out of business some years later.

I managed Sales and After-Sales Service in Italy of high-precision milling machines in this Military Corporation headquartered in Switzerland. The branch employing me was also manufacturing anti-aircraft artillery. I strongly developed sales and I left Oerlikon when promoted Vice President of Sales at Saimp Sistemi in Padua by the Mandelli Group, after it purchased the company.

I managed sales and after sales of high-precision Grinding Wheels to main industries in Northern Italy. During training nonetheless, I was the one eventually solving Alfa Romeo gear-box known issues! I then couldn't refuse to accept the job I was offered by Oerlikon, but I will always look at Norton as the best company I had been working for.

I represented Huron directly in North-Eastern Italy, a French company manufacturing high-precision CNC Milling Machines and part of the FIAT-Comau Italian group.

At the beginning of my professional life I had been tutoring students, mostly with English, Mathematics and Technical Drawing. I then waited tables in restaurants, soon becoming Maitre d' at "Ristorante El Patio" in Preganziol TV in 1980, one with 240 seats. I was only 16 years old and I was working evenings, weekends and holidays, while earning a Mechanical Engineering Diploma, school highest grade that year (56/60). I then had, being due by law at the time, to join military service. Loss of a perfect eyesight prevented me from continuing an Air Force pilot career with Aeronautica Militare, even if being among the Top-10 pilots in my class. I was then drafted by the Mountain Army and served at the delicate boarder with Yugoslavia, earning a prestigious commendation from its commander. Halfway through my service I was moved to main command post (RMNE) in Padua, where I believe having had quite a positive influence.