Award-winning bikes, new connections and strong interest from the Italian cycling market at IBF 2026

From September 4 to 6, Belgian Cycling Factory took part in the 2026 edition of the International Bike Festival (IBF) at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy. Over three days, the event brought together cyclists, industry professionals, retailers, brands and athletes from across Italy and beyond, creating a vibrant meeting point for the cycling community. For Belgian Cycling Factory, IBF provided an excellent opportunity to present its four brands — Ridley, Eddy Merckx Bikes, Nukeproof and AERES — to a highly engaged Italian audience.

With a combination of product displays, bike tests, races, talks and demonstrations, the festival offered the perfect setting to experience the latest developments in cycling and connect directly with the people who shape the market. The response to the Belgian Cycling Factory portfolio was particularly encouraging, with strong interest across several of the bikes on display and valuable conversations with cyclists, retailers and industry professionals throughout the three days.

Kanzo Fast 2.0 takes centre stage

The Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0 was without a doubt one of the biggest highlights of the Belgian Cycling Factory stand — and according to the team on site, likely one of the most talked-about bikes at the entire show. Fresh from being named Best Gravel Bike and Best Bike Overall at the BikeRadar Awards, the aerodynamic gravel racer attracted considerable attention from visitors, with many wanting to learn more about its technology, performance and racing credentials. The interest extended across the Ridley range, with the Noah Fast of the Uno-X Mobility team, Falcn RS 2.0, Astr RS and the electric E-Noah and E-Astr also receiving plenty of attention. “The Kanzo Fast 2.0 was definitely the model that attracted the most interest, not only on our stand but likely at the entire show,” says Luca Brischetto, Belgian Cycling Factory’s Country Manager for Italy. “We received a lot of questions and requests for information, and it was great to see such a strong response to our latest performance bikes. It confirms the growing interest we are seeing from the Italian market.”

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A platform for the entire BCF portfolio

The positive response extended beyond the road and gravel segments. Nukeproof generated plenty of enthusiasm among mountain bikers, with the Kilowatt and Giga Carbon standing out in particular. Their presence at IBF offered an opportunity to connect with Italian MTB enthusiasts and showcase the latest developments within the Nukeproof range. Eddy Merckx Bikes also drew visitors to the stand, with the Titanium models attracting plenty of appreciation for their distinctive character and craftsmanship. The 525R, recently crowned Best Road Race Bike, further underlined the performance credentials of the Eddy Merckx range. “It was great to see how people reacted to the different brands and disciplines,” Luca adds. “Nukeproof especially attracted a lot of sympathy from MTB riders, while the Titanium bikes from Eddy Merckx were very much appreciated. And of course, the 525R continues to get a lot of attention as an award-winning race bike.”

Bringing bikes closer to cyclists

One of the strengths of IBF is that it goes beyond a traditional trade show. Visitors could see the latest bikes on display, but also experience them through test rides and an extensive programme of activities around the Misano circuit. The unique location added an extra dimension to the event, bringing together the excitement of a world-class motorsport venue with the accessibility and community spirit of a cycling festival. For Belgian Cycling Factory, this direct interaction with cyclists was particularly valuable. “Being able to meet people face-to-face, talk about the bikes and hear their feedback is extremely important,” says Luca. “The Italian cycling community is very passionate, and IBF gave us a great opportunity to show our bikes, answer questions and understand what people are looking for. The level of interest we received was very encouraging.”

Building momentum in Italy

The successful IBF edition once again highlighted the potential of the Italian market for Belgian Cycling Factory. The strong response to the Kanzo Fast 2.0, the interest in Ridley’s performance and electric range, the enthusiasm surrounding Nukeproof and the appreciation for Eddy Merckx’s Titanium models and 525R all contributed to a highly positive three days in Misano. Just as importantly, the event provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships with existing partners and establish new connections within the Italian cycling community.

“We are very happy with how the event went,” concludes Luca. “It was a very successful IBF for Belgian Cycling Factory, with a great return for Ridley and a nice surprise to see Nukeproof again. We received a lot of interest from the Italian market, especially for the award-winning bikes, and the feedback on the different brands was very positive. We leave Misano with a lot of positive energy and are looking forward to continuing to build on this momentum.”

Belgian Cycling Factory would like to thank everyone who visited the stand, tested our bikes, shared their feedback or stopped by for a conversation. We would also like to thank the organisers, partners and everyone who contributed to making IBF 2026 a memorable edition.

See you in Misano in 2027!