Continuity as a winning formula: Wilier-Vittoria unveils its 2026 line-up

Continuity as a winning formula: Wilier-Vittoria unveils its 2026 line-up If a team works, why change it? Wilier-Vittoria MTB Factory Team heads into the 2026 season with no major shake-ups — and for good reason. The structure introduced last year, both in terms of riders and equipment, proved highly effective. No revolutions, then, for the upcoming cross-country campaign: instead, plenty of continuity and a series of fine-tuning adjustments aimed at making an already well-oiled machine run even smoother.

On Monday morning, as tradition dictates at Vittoria Park in Brembate, the team that will take on the world’s most prestigious MTB stages in 2026 was officially presented to sponsors, media and fans. Once again, the riders will compete aboard the Wilier Urta Max SLR — their trusted, high-performance companion — and wearing a brand-new, dynamic and forward-looking kit designed by Gobik.

“First and foremost, we would like to thank all the companies that continue to support the team — it truly means a lot to us,” said the Gastaldello brothers, owners of Wilier. “We also want to thank Marco Trentin, who leads the team with passion and precision. We started this journey four years ago, initially focusing on both cross-country and marathon, but since last season we have concentrated solely on cross-country, which offers greater global visibility. We have grown together with the team, and the success achieved in MTB has opened new doors for us, strengthening our credibility and recognition not only in this discipline, but also in areas such as gravel and across the wider cycling market.”

“This team has real style — and even more so with the new kit,” added Vittoria CEO Stijn Vriends. “At Vittoria we don’t produce flashy products, but we like to think of ourselves as ‘inner heroes’: products that help you avoid losing a race. From a business perspective, this is not an easy time for the bike industry, but Made in Italy — as represented by Wilier and Vittoria — remains a guarantee of prestige and success. That’s why I’m particularly fond of this team: it brings together different Italian brands, creating value for everyone involved. Winning is something you do together, and Wilier-Vittoria has proven that by finishing third in the World Cup standings and sixth in the overall ranking. We are proud to continue standing by their side.”

THE TEAM The faces wearing the Wilier-Vittoria jersey will be familiar ones, as the entire 2025 roster has been confirmed for the new season. Naturally, the spotlight falls on Simone Avondetto and Luca Braidot, who last year delivered an outstanding performance together at the Cape Epic, winning three stages and finishing second overall after pushing themselves beyond their limits. The duo also enjoyed a strong World Cup campaign. Avondetto finished seventh overall and, most notably, claimed the silver medal in the XCO World Championships in Valais. Braidot, the reigning Italian XCO champion, saw his season affected by a broken collarbone towards the end of the year, which forced him to give up what would likely have been a top-level overall placing. They will be joined by Juri Zanotti, who claimed the Italian title in the short track discipline, while in the elite women’s category the task of flying the Wilier-Vittoria flag will once again fall to Sofie Heby Pedersen, who showed clear signs of progression last season.

Ambition and determination will also drive the U23 riders, already highly competitive in 2025. Among them, Gustav Heby Pedersen made the biggest leap forward: he finished second overall in the U23 XCC World Cup standings and third in XCO, claimed victory in the short track race in Nové Město, and went on to win bronze at the XCO World Championships. Alongside him will be the ever-reliable Elian Paccagnella, winner of the World Cup XCC round in Araxá, Brazil, and now aiming for another step forward. Completing the line-up is Canadian rider Ella MacPhee, who spent much of last season as World Cup leader after winning the XCO in Nové Město, eventually finishing third overall.

“We are a tough, serious and competitive team,” said general manager Marco Trentin. “Confirming all the riders was the most logical choice. Our goal is to keep growing and to fight on every possible stage. Last year brought us many great emotions, and we’ll try to relive them this season — hopefully making them even more special. The dream? Winning the U23 World Championship with Gustav Pedersen. And maybe even the elite title with Avondetto — last year we came very close.”

The 2026 World Championships will take place on home soil, in Val di Sole, inevitably raising expectations even higher. For the rest, the race calendar will closely resemble last season’s, with the main focus once again on the World Cup. The opening round of the UCI MTB World Series will move from Brazil to South Korea (1–3 May), while the United States will host the season finale (2–4 October). A red circle will also be firmly drawn around the Cape Epic (15–22 March): after last year’s triumphant experience, Wilier-Vittoria returns with renewed motivation and the ambition to repeat the adventure. Not only with the now well-established pairing of Braidot and Avondetto, but also with Zanotti, who for the occasion will team up with French rider Mathis Azzaro.