Vittoria takes another step forward in the UCI Enduro World Cup by supporting the Abetone Ancillotti Vittoria Factory Team as sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for the 2023 season.
Thomas Francardo (25) (read the 365mountainbike interview) – Italian Enduro Champion 2022, and Nadine Ellecosta (24) – Italian Enduro Champion 2021 are the spearheads of the team, which this year obtained UCI enduro status. For the first time, the two riders will race the stages of the UCI Enduro World Cup, where they will be able to measure themselves against the best enduro riders in the world.
It's fantastic to be able to continue working with Vittoria, a collaboration that has been going on for several years now. Vittoria supported me and believed in me from the very beginning. I am happy to be able to contribute to the development of new enduro products and to be able to improve my performance together with this brand. My goals for this year are to reconfirm myself as Italian Enduro Champion and to make podiums in the World Cup – Thomas Francardo
For me it is the first season with Vittoria and I am very happy with this new collaboration. I am confident that with their support, experience and professionalism I will be able to take a big step forward. This year my focus will be on the World Cup stages, where I would like to enter the top 10. It won't be easy but having the team and all the sponsors by my side is a great stimulus and gives me the right motivation to do my best ! – Nadine Ellecosta
Team Manager Davide De Min comments: “The collaboration with Vittoria is a source of pride for us. Vittoria is a prestigious brand, present for years in competitions and actively involved in enduro. The combination with Ancillotti is a winner and I'm sure it will allow us to reach maximum performance. With Tommaso and Nadine, this year we will aim for the Italian Championship and we will always try to finish in the top 10 in the World Cup events."
As a partner of the UCI Mountain Bike World Series and a long-standing partner of the Enduro World Series, Vittoria firmly believes in mountain biking – and enduro in particular – as a growth driver for the entire cycling sector.
In fact, in recent years, Vittoria has worked hard to develop a complete range of enduro tires that meet the needs of both pro riders and amateurs. Abetone Ancillotti Vittoria Factory Team will rely on the Vittoria Mazza, Martello and Mota models to win on all types of terrain and in all conditions. The tires that Tommaso, Nadine and the team will use are enhanced by a new racing compound and new technical solutions that will be available on the market shortly. Both riders will also rely on Vittoria Air-Liner MTB anti-puncture inserts for increased puncture protection, increased wheel protection and unmatched run-flat performance.
"We are very happy to be part – even in name – of this team that condenses so much Italian excellence” declares Bruno Tecci, Global Marketing Director of Vittoria. “There is a great sharing of values. The mentality oriented towards continuous improvement is common: from champions to those who work in our R&D department or in Ancillotti's. We, in Vittoria, call it 'The Ride Ahead', which before being our brand positioning is a way of thinking".
