Café du Cycliste has announced its new role as the official kit partner for The Grip, a new international gravel racing team, for the 2026 season.
The team is headed by rider and manager Mattia De Marchi and powered by Wilier bicycles. It will compete in major races across the international gravel calendar, including events in Europe, Africa, and the US.
Mattia De Marchi is a prominent figure in the gravel scene, having won The Traka 360 – regarded as one of Europe’s premier gravel events – for three consecutive years. He is joined by Eddy Le Huitouze, a 22-year-old French rider transitioning from the road WorldTour, and Jordy Bouts, an established Belgian gravel racer.
The team will wear premium race wear from Café du Cycliste, including the Cerise speed suit. This technical kit was tested and raced by 2025 French national gravel champion Hugo Drechou and will be available for public sale for the first time this year.
The team’s wardrobe also features the Bergida short-sleeve jersey, Constance long-sleeve jersey, Victoire bib shorts, and Aero socks, alongside off-the-bike apparel from the brand’s Active and Explore ranges.
The Grip’s 2026 programme includes the Gravel Earth Series events Santa Vall, The Hills, and The Traka, as well as Cuckoo by The Traka in Iceland. The team will also travel to Morocco for Sahara Gravel and to the US for the Life Time Sea Otter Classic and UNBOUND Gravel in Emporia, KS.
The team name stands for ‘Gather, Ride, Inspire People’. According to the team, while the focus remains on results, the project aims to create a community-focused environment.
Mattia De Marchi, Rider and Manager of The Grip said “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 Traka 360!”
Rémi Clermont, Creative Director at Café du Cycliste said “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.”
Café du Cycliste is a French apparel label based on the Côte d’Azur. It achieved B Corp certification in 2024 and produces technical and lifestyle products using recycled and sustainable materials.
