The Italian mountain bike community is preparing for one of the most anticipated events of the year. 24 and 25 October 2026, the IMBA Italia Gathering lands for the first time in Friuli Venezia Giulia, between the territories of Nimis, Tarcento and Lusevera, in the heart of the suggestive Torre Valleys.
An event that is not just a meeting, but also a concrete reflection on an increasingly central theme: What really makes a successful MTB destination?
A new territory, a shared vision
The 2026 edition is made possible thanks to the support of the Natisone and Torre Mountain Community and the collaboration with Maglia Nera APS. This is an important signal: the Friuli region is investing heavily in cycle tourism and mountain biking as a driver of sustainable development.
Today, the Torre Valleys represent an ideal laboratory, where nature, culture, and planning meet to create a modern and competitive MTB offering.
Not just events: training and professionalization
The Gathering maintains its two-day structure:
- Saturday October 24: conference in Nimis with round tables, presentations and discussions between operators, institutions and associations
- Sunday October 25: field activities, with MTB tours and practical workshops on the trails
But the heart of the event goes beyond the simple format.
Over the years, IMBA Italia has played a fundamental role in training and support of trail builders, helping to raise a new generation of industry professionals.
This work is crucial today to develop:
- sustainable paths over time
- safe and fun routes for bikers
- trail networks consistent with the territory
The difference between a destination that works and one that struggles, in fact, often lies right here: in the quality of the design and management of the trails.
The real crux: designing experiences, not just paths
As already highlighted in other analyses of the sector, the success of some MTB areas compared to others is not a coincidence.
It's not enough to have mountains or trails: you need a vision.
It serves:
- strategic planning
- constant maintenance
- technical training
- dialogue between public bodies and communities
And it is precisely on these aspects that the Gathering 2026 aims to shine a spotlight, offering concrete tools and opportunities for discussion for those who work—or want to work—in mountain biking development.
An opportunity for the region (and for the future of Italian mountain biking)
The words of local representatives confirm the importance of the initiative: Friuli aims to become a leading destination for two-wheelers, investing both in cycling tourism infrastructure and in the growth of mountain biking culture.
The Gathering will therefore be much more than an event:
a meeting point between skills, experiences and visions, with the aim of building a more solid and sustainable future for mountain biking in Italy.
