Back on Track: Abetone Ancillotti Factory Team Set for UCI Enduro World Cup Opener in Pietra Ligure
After a winter of intense training and smaller races to fine-tune their form, the Abetone Ancillotti Factory Team is ready to get back in action. This weekend, from May 8 to 11, the opening round of the UCI Enduro World Cup (EDR) kicks off in Pietra Ligure – one of the most iconic destinations in the world of enduro.
This year’s race brings back a “classic” format, with two full days of racing – Saturday and Sunday – just like in the early years of Finale Ligure. Riders will have two days of practice (Thursday and Friday), followed by two days of pure racing, where physical preparation and technical skill will be tested to the limit. It’s the perfect moment to see who really made the most of the off-season.
Flying the team’s colors are two standout riders: Tommaso Francardo, 2022 Italian Enduro Champion, and Nadine Ellecoste, newly crowned 2024 Italian Champion. Both had a solid 2023 season and are heading into this year’s campaign with ambition and determination. Francardo is aiming to improve on his 7th place finish in Pietra Ligure last year, while Ellecoste is ready to go head-to-head with some of the best riders in the world.
For the third consecutive season, the team is racing on Ancillotti bikes – the result of a close collaboration with master craftsman Tommaso Ancillotti. This unique partnership has led to a bike that truly fits the riders like a glove, constantly refined through direct feedback. Once again this season, geometry and kinematics have been updated to tackle the demanding trails of the UCI circuit.
At Switch Components, we’re proud to be part of this project. Our support goes beyond sponsorship – it’s a collaborative effort. We supply handlebars, stems, grips, and seatposts, and in return, we get valuable feedback straight from the racecourse. Don’t be surprised if you see the team racing with prototype parts: many of our most innovative ideas are tested and developed in the heat of competition.
The Pietra Ligure round promises excitement, adrenaline, and world-class racing. We can’t wait to follow our riders into the new season – and continue building the components of tomorrow, together.
