For Wilier, speed is not just about performance, but about interpretation. The Grip is born from this vision and brings it into the gravel world, transforming it into a recognizable, competitive project that is entirely consistent with the brand’s racing DNA.
Created as an incubator for Wilier’s gravel activities, The Grip integrates top-level competition, product development, aesthetic research, and storytelling. It is a project aimed at building a strong and consistent presence in the international gravel landscape, positioning Wilier as an authentic and credible reference in a constantly evolving scene.
This vision takes shape in the team’s aesthetic identity and in the Rave SLR ID2 with a dedicated The Grip livery, which will accompany the team throughout the 2026 season.
The visual language is built around the concept of connection through contact, expressed through bold textures, glitch gradients, and distorted typography. A livery inspired by 1990s/2000s imagery—already at the core of the Rave SLR ID2 launch campaign—portrays gravel without filters, capturing and expressing its most authentic nature.
Leading The Grip will be Mattia De Marchi, a benchmark athlete on the international gravel scene, who will take on the dual role of team manager and rider. The Grip was born from a shared journey with De Marchi from the very early stages: a project developed together, step by step, starting from a shared vision of gravel racing. After committing to the Wilier project, Mattia contributed directly to shaping the team’s sporting and technical identity, becoming a foundational part of it.
Alongside him is Eddy Le Huitouze, a young and talented rider coming from the WorldTour, who has chosen gravel as the ground on which to relaunch his sporting career, bringing strong racing culture and great competitive ambition to the project.
Completing the roster is Jordy Bouts, an established athlete in international gravel racing with direct experience in the most important competitions. Bouts has chosen The Grip as the definitive step in his career, recognizing in the project the structure and vision needed to compete consistently at the highest level.
“The identity of The Grip and the way Wilier interprets gravel are what convinced me. It’s a new project with a clear direction and a bike designed for modern gravel. Having an active role in the team’s development makes this challenge even more exciting.”
— Mattia De Marchi
The Grip will follow an international calendar, confirming the project’s global nature. The season debut is set for February 14, 2026, at Santa Vall, the first stop in a journey that will continue with The Hills, Sea Otter Classic (USA), The Traka, Unbound Gravel, The Rift, and other top-tier events. A program spanning Europe and the United States, to measure up and compete in the benchmark races of the global gravel scene.
Wilier already boasts an outstanding gravel palmarès, with victories at The Traka 200 and Unbound Gravel. These results underscore the brand’s credibility in this discipline. The Grip represents the definitive step toward a consistent and structured presence at the highest level of gravel racing.
“With The Grip, we are not starting a new adventure: in gravel, we have already proven that we can win the most important races. This project represents the definitive step toward a consistent and coherent presence in gravel racing, alongside a product offering that is receiving very positive feedback, as demonstrated by the success of the Rave SLR ID2. Competition and product grow together, true to the Culture of Speed and to the way Wilier interprets off-road riding.”
— Andrea, Enrico and Michele Gastaldello.
Super interesting that Eddy Le Huitouze is making the jump from WorldTour to gravel, feels like were seeing more and more roadies pivot this direction lately. The 90s/2000s visual language for the livery is a bold choice but it works. Curious how the Rave SLR ID2 stacks up against Canyon's gravel offerings since I've been trying to decide btween the two for my next build.