HOLD TIGHT: CAFÉ DU CYCLISTE BECOMES OFFICIAL KIT PARTNER OF THE GRIP

Headed by rider/manager Mattia De Marchi, and powered by Wilier bicycles, The Grip will be competing at the biggest and toughest races on the global gravel calendar.

Mattia De Marchi is already a gravel legend, having won The Traka360, arguably Europe’s premier gravel event, three years running. He is joined by Eddy Le Huitouze, a 22-year-old French young gun fresh from the road WorldTour, and Jordy Bouts, a Belgian who’s an established presence at the highest level of the gravel racing scene. 

They will be wearing our premium performance-oriented race wear – technical kit for all weathers honed in the heat of competition. This includes our Cerise speed suit (tested and raced by 2025 French national gravel champion Hugo Drechou) which will be on public sale this year for the first time. Also featuring will be the Bergida short sleeve jersey, Constance long-sleeve jersey, Victoire bib shorts and Aero socks, as well as off-the-bike pieces from our Active and Explore ranges.

The Grip’s programme will span the globe and include Gravel Earth Series events Santa Vall, The Hills, The Traka and Cuckoo by The Traka in Iceland, as well as Sahara Gravel in Morocco and the Lifetime Sea Otter Classic and Unbound Gravel races in the USA. 

The Grip stands for: GATHER, RIDE, INSPIRE PEOPLE, and while it will be focused on results, it’s also about creating bonds between people, a community and a vibe.

Says Mattia De Marchi: “I don't like to call myself a team manager: I prefer to be an athlete. My main goal is to create a fun, stress-free environment and see the smile on my friends' faces, but for sure my goal is to come back to win the Traka360!”

Says Rémi Clermont: “Café du Cycliste has had a team since almost day one of gravel racing. Being immersed in the racing scene, we have seen the atmosphere evolving, the performance level skyrocket. Athletes and teams came and went, but during these five years there is one athlete that always shined above the pack with his unique spirit and consistently performing at the top level… that is Mattia. I can’t be more excited than having him as the captain of our racing team for 2026!”

Success on gravel is all about grip. Through the dirt and the dust we will stay the course. Hold on for the ride of your life!

For more information

lenamarie.g@cafeducycliste.com

Social media

instagram.com/cafeducycliste 

instagram.com/the_grip.cc

About Café du Cycliste

Anchored on the Côte d’Azur, Café du Cycliste is a French label dedicated to sharing a passion for cycling and the outdoors, and one of the first clothing companies to recognise the gravel revolution and make specific gravel apparel. Our technical and lifestyle products are predominantly made in Europe, using recycled and sustainable materials wherever possible, and we achieved B Corp certification in 2024. Each piece is designed to go further, move faster, and explore more. What began back in 2009 as a simple idea to do things differently has become a community of like-minded people who share the same values, beliefs, and a desire to be #foreveroutsiders.