Interview to Luca Botte

On the occasion of the "My Patch Ride Out" event organized by Fred Perry in Bologna, we asked some questions to Luca Botte. The young talent, who will guide the participants during the bicycle ride through the city, told us how he went into the bike world and much more!

Do not forget to join the event, on May 21st by clicking HERE.

#1 Fred Perry is a legend tied to tennis. How did you approach the world of cycling?

Cycling has a rich culture linked to international communities, which are united in their passion for sport. Fred Perry has always been intrinsically linked to this subculture through its lifestyle and style over the years.

#2 What is the purpose of 'My Patch Ride Outs'?

Just as cycling is more than just a pedal, our Ride Outs are more than a bicycle ride through a city - they speak to heart and body. They do not speak of moments of glory but do represent cycling camaraderie, its team spirit. Today we made our second Ride Out in Italy and we will do other this year.

#3 What is the history of patches?

For each patch, we work with local illustrators to capture the spirit of a bicycle they love. For the two Italian riders, we worked with the great illustrator Andrea Chronopoulos.

#4 How has your passion for bicycle born and had have you been able to turn it into an actual profession?

Well, biking and I have never really get along but four years ago someone stole mine while I was at work and, since in that time was vital to me, I've been forced to find another but decided to create one out of nothing with second-hand pieces. During the search of the pieces, I had heard of the fixed shot, that is, one-speed, no gearbox, and no brakes. It has invoked me right away since I love extreme things, and since then it has become part of me. Every time I leave home for me is a challenge, the streets become my playground and the cars become pedestrians to dodge, pure adrenaline at every pedal. In 2015 I started joining a team, as well as a world-renowned shop, DafneFixed. Within a year, posting photos and videos of moments 'without brakes', the first sponsors from various parts of the globe began to come, and for me, it was a great satisfaction. In 2016, along with my dear friend Filippo Cinotti, I decided to release a short film entitled HEARTBEAT, where my passion was told and, given the great success it had, I have become an important icon and from that moment on I started to have always more and more sponsor that still support me and helped me to make this passion become a profession.

#5 What do you think about today's relationship between bicycle and fashion?

The world of cycling is really vast and given that anyone who tries to be the best in demonstrating their agonistic talents, one must be able to cure their own look and here is precisely the fashion discourse. I obviously speak of my discipline, the world of the fixed shot. If you go to an event, it will be difficult to find an 'out of place' uniform. The perfection in detail is all and that's why you go looking for sponsors to help you appear, based on the image you want to convey. I've always thought that the look is one thing you should not miss: you can be number one, you can win all the races you want, but if you do not send anything to the public even through your image, it will keep you posted.

#6 Now, 2017 is known to be the year of collaborations. Would you like to see one between a fashion brand and a brand of bicycles and related products? If so, which one?

Coming from the skateboard world, I have always seen collaborations of all kinds, from the most commercial brands to the more niche brands. As I have already said, I have recently entered the world of bikes, indeed, the discipline I belong to is a small slice of cycling but still I have seen some collaboration, and now I am thinking of Le Coq Sportif with The Hero, Cinelli with Keith Haring, Mike Giant and other artists, Leader Bikes with Undefeated, 8bar with adidas and of course Fred Perry with Wiggins.

Now as I can not connect a fashion brand to a bike brand, also because I like to be amazed when I see something new. Being a great sport, any kind of collaboration could be born if there are targeted and well-thought ideas behind the project.

#7 Tell us about your adventure with Fred Perry. 

Even though now I have few to tell, I want to say that I enjoyed the fact that Fred Perry decided to tell this story through social networks, the medium so close to young people and accessible to everyone, bringing them closer not only to fashion but also to sport. It would be an honor to continue being part of this project, supporting and motivating young people to believe in their passions like I do.