Italian cycle manufacturer Bianchi has chosen a trio of Vito 116 CDI Sport Dualiners for its three technical sales representatives in the UK.

Supplied by Milton Keynes dealer Intercounty Truck & Van, the vans are the subject of a Charter Way contract hire agreement arranged via Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, the manufacturer’s in-house vehicle finance division.

As Dualiner models, each is equipped with a second row of seats, allowing it to carry up to four passengers. But these can be removed to maximise the load space if necessary.

“They’re fantastically versatile vehicles,” said Bianchi’s country manager Andrew Griffin.

“For a weekend demonstration event our reps can carry up to 10 fully-built bikes, as well as a three-metre marquee, boxes of catalogues, riding gear and their own overnight kit, and still have room inside to move around.

“Then, if necessary, they can deliver as many as 20 packaged bikes to our dealers. And when they’re not working, with all the seats in place, the Vito also serves as comfortable, safe and stylish family transport for our staff.”

Bianchi has been building cutting-edge bicycles since 1885 and its machines have carried some of the sport’s top professional riders to victories in road and track World Championships, Tours de France, stage races and single-day ‘classics’ – its roster of titles also includes no fewer than 12 overall wins in the gruelling Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy).

Bianchi UK distributes bikes to independent cycle retailers, as well as supporting those retail partners at organised rides and events, and promoting its products at exhibitions.

Although the iconic company’s heritage is in road racing, its line-up now includes mountain and urban bikes.

“Our new Mercedes have replaced people-carrier cars, which offered much less space and were nothing like as versatile,” continued Griffin.

“Like Bianchi, Mercedes-Benz is renowned for its sporting heritage and for the quality of its products, so the three-pointed star reinforces our own reputation for professionalism and customer care.  

“We were also impressed by the service we received from Intercounty Truck & Van, and particularly sales executive Nick Dunkley.

“The CharterWay contract hire package is competitively priced and the dealer took great care to understand our business and the way we work, then help us choose vehicles that are ideally suited to our needs rather than just sell us something ‘off the peg’.”