The UCI announced it as 'a partnership between the Mapei Sport Research Centre and the World Cycling Centre - the UCI's training centre - the participation of Mapei in the UCI "reCycling" programme and the Italian company's scientific contribution to the "UCI Forum", which will be organised for the first time in 2012.'

Mapei sponsored a team during nine years from 1993 to 2002 which was won a number of races, and also sponsored the Mapei Sports Research Centre.

Mapei chief Giorgio Squirzi said: "This strengthens our long relationship with cycling, which comes from the sharing of the same values: hard work, will and passion, as well as the knowledge that every victory is the result of conscientious planning and constant teamwork.

"This passion, handed down from my father, is also related to our activity: our products and technologies have contributed to the construction of the most important sport facilities in the world."

This year's World Road Race Championships are due take place in Copenhagen between September 19 and 25, before moving onto Limburg in the Netherlands and Florence in the following years.

UCI President Pat McQuaid said: "I would like to thank Mapei. Its commitment to cycling over the last twenty years has contributed to the growth of our sport, of which it is one of the most faithful sponsors.

"Under its President and Director, Mr Giorgio Squinzi, who is a true cycling lover, Mapei has multiplied its initiatives for our sport, often demonstrating great inventiveness, not only in Italy but on an international scale."

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