Gilberto João Sampaio is the visionary founder behind Giacomo® Luxury Bike Tours — a brand born not from business ambition alone, but from a refined sense of artistry and purpose. With a unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit, cultural sensitivity and personal distinction, he created a concept that elevates luxury cycling to a new realm of sophistication.

A legacy of excellence

Coming from a family deeply rooted in the world of competitive cycling — both his father and uncle being prominent athletes — Gilberto inherited a profound discipline and passion for the sport. As a former professional cyclist, he achieved victories across all levels and was named Portuguese Under-23 Cyclist of the Year in 2005. This background forged his commitment to detail, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.

The Douro as his chosen stage

It was with deep conviction that Gilberto chose the Alto Douro Wine Region — which he considers the most beautiful region in Portugal — as the home of Giacomo®. For him, the Douro is not simply a location; it is a place of profound inspiration. With its terraced vineyards, golden light and timeless soul, the region reflects the very essence of what his brand represents: authenticity, elegance and noble character.

Every journey, a distinct opera

To Gilberto, each tour is designed as a distinct opera — a multi-act experience orchestrated with emotional rhythm, aesthetic refinement, and narrative depth. From handpicked routes to luxury accommodation, from high-performance bicycles to impeccable service, every element is choreographed to deliver a symphony of sensations, where the guest becomes the central figure in a truly unforgettable performance.

Inspired by beauty

With an Italian soul and Venice as the city of his heart, Gilberto is a passionate connoisseur of the world’s most refined pleasures: haute cuisine, exceptional wines, fine watchmaking, immersive travel, and classical music. These passions are not only personal — they are intrinsic to the ethos of Giacomo®, and they guide every decision he makes.

A name that carries meaning

Among all achievements, his greatest inspiration is his son, Leonardo — the driving force behind every project, every vision, every triumph. It is in his name that Gilberto continues to build, to dream, and to live with purpose.

“Some live ordinarily. I chose to live distinctly.”

One of the most reputed Portuguese cycling riders of all time will join us on this project to enhance our customer's experience. Is there anyone better to guide you in our country while riding a bike?!
Now retired, Tiago, that was part of our national team, participated in 8 seasons of the World Tour, having done one of them with one of the most famous riders of all time, Lance Armstrong in Radioshack team. He also rode with some other famous riders in Katucha-Alpecin like Tony Martin, Alexander Kristoff or even Nils Politt.
With sympathy and enthusiasm, he’s very pleased to push through hills in our Country and guide you with safety and expertise.

David Rosa
Olympic Athlete | 11x National MTB Champion | Coach and Sports Ambassador

David Rosa is one of the most prominent figures in mountain biking (MTB) in Portugal, with an outstanding career spanning over 20 years at the highest level of competition. He represented Portugal at the London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, achieving the best-ever results for the country in World Championships, European Championships, and World Cup events in Olympic Cross-Country (XCO).

Sporting Achievements:

-11x Portuguese National Champion in MTB XCO
-Olympic Appearances: London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016
-Participant in the 2015 European Games in Baku
-Over 10 international podiums in World Cup and European competitions
-Member of the Portuguese National Team since 2003
-Consistently ranked among the world’s top MTB athletes

Off the track, David stands out for his strong academic background, holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sports Science from the Faculty of Human Kinetics. He has worked as a teacher and instructor, and is currently a cycling coach, educator, and advocate for sports values.

Since 2017, he has been collaborating with the Portuguese Olympic Committee, serving as an active member of the Olympic Athletes Commission. He is also a representative in various national and international initiatives, promoting clean sport, ethics, and Olympic values.

A certified masseur, Tiago’s great friend and one of the most important people on this project.
Pedro was Tiago’s personal masseur almost his entire career, being fundamental to Tiago’s performance.
Pedro has a lot of experience as a masseur and over the last years has been working with a few pro and amateur cycling riders, helping them prepare for national and international races.
With his knowledge and experience, he will help you to heal and recover faster.

Luana is a certified masseuse and osteopath and although her career is still brief, she is recognized for her sensitivity, empathy, responsibility, dedication and commitment. She constantly seeks to deepen and improve her knowledge to apply in her services. Her role is fundamental to provide more quality to the team. She’s looking forward to seeing you and helping you out during your trip with us.

With a solid background in Taxation and an innate passion for entrepreneurship, Joana Ferreira has built a professional path defined by determination, sales expertise, and strong client relationships. She began her career in the hospitality sector and, for over a decade, has established herself in real estate, standing out for her empathy, precision, and attention to detail—turning every interaction into an opportunity to create genuine value.

Driven by her interest in authentic and sophisticated experiences, Joana has embraced tourism and the luxury sector as fields where she combines cultural sensitivity, hospitality, and a results-oriented approach. Her commitment also extends to volunteering, where she applies the same dedication and humanity that guide her professional journey.

At Giacomo, Joana Ferreira is the consultant who blends passion for sales, enthusiasm for tourism, and deep knowledge of the luxury market. With a keen eye for detail and a personalized approach, she supports each client with professionalism and inspiration, ensuring unique and memorable experiences.

Rodrigo, one of our ambassadors, has a degree in Law. Throughout his life he always rode a bike, but it was after a friend invited him to take the path to Santiago de Compostela that he bought his first mountain bike, and he has never stopped since then. Coming from a family that is passionate about cycling, and his father being an unconditional fan of Joaquim Agostinho, Rodrigo inevitably inherited this great love for cycling.
In this project, Rodrigo has been working hard has a promotor through Instagram, on which he currently has more than 10k followers. His English skills are an important tool for our project and he’s always in contact with our future and current customers to ensure their best experience.

"Ivan the Terrible"
Ivan Machado, born in Santo Tirso and now 45 years old, is recognized as one of the leading sprinters in Portuguese cycling. His journey in the sport began in 1995 at the youth academy of Império dos Santos Recer Boavista, under the guidance of the renowned coach José Santos.

Throughout his career, he achieved notable success, securing track titles and several national medals in sprint, pursuit, and criterium. Beyond his victories, Ivan became known for his sportsmanship, building bonds of camaraderie and respect even with his fiercest rivals. He represented prestigious teams such as Barbot Gondomar and Caixa Pontevedra in Spain, where he trained under the leadership of Paulo Couto. He was also a member of the Madeinox team, with whom he won Portugal Cup titles, further cementing his name in the national cycling scene.

For Ivan, cycling goes far beyond competition. It represents a true passion and a family legacy, with the bicycle symbolizing affection, resilience, and continuity throughout the different stages of his life.

Guided by a positive and determined outlook, he sums up his path with a philosophy that has always accompanied him: “Pain is temporary, but victory is eternal,” a quote by Lance Armstrong that reflects his values of perseverance, dedication, and success.