Inside the Kanzo Fast 2.0 Press Camp at Sea Otter Europe

As the gravel world gathers in Girona for Sea Otter Europe, Belgian Cycling Factory brings journalists together for an exclusive first-hand experience of the new Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0.

This week, the international gravel community is gathering in Girona for Sea Otter Europe Costa Brava-Girona by Garmin. In just a few editions, the cycling festival has grown into one of the major meeting points for the international cycling industry, attracting more than 64,000 visitors, over 6,000 participants in sporting events and more than 400 exhibiting brands at last year's record edition.

For Belgian Cycling Factory, Sea Otter Europe is therefore about much more than exhibiting bikes. It is also an opportunity to bring journalists closer to the products behind our brands. This week, BCF is hosting a dedicated press camp around the Ridley Kanzo Fast 2.0, giving a selected group of journalists the opportunity to experience the new gravel bike for themselves.

Getting to know the Kanzo Fast 2.0

The Kanzo Fast 2.0 was officially unveiled at the end of August, with its launch receiving immediate attention from the cycling industry. The bike even picked up two major accolades at the 2026 BikeRadar Awards, being named Best Gravel Bike as well as Best Bike Overall.

While awards are a great recognition of the work that goes into developing a new bike, there is no substitute for riding it. That is precisely the idea behind the press camp. Over the course of the event, the selected journalists get the chance to take the Kanzo Fast 2.0 out on the roads and gravel tracks around Girona and experience its characteristics in real-world conditions.

The riding experience is complemented by in-depth technical presentations from Senior Product Manager Bert Kenens, who takes the journalists behind the development of the bike and explains the choices that shaped the latest generation of the Kanzo Fast. And, of course, there is plenty of time for questions. From the technical details of the bike to its development process and the philosophy behind its design, the press camp provides journalists with direct access to the people who know the bike best.

A special thank you goes to David Meteu and Velodrom CC for being such fantastic hosts and helping us create the perfect setting for this press camp. Their hospitality and local knowledge made the experience even more enjoyable for our journalists and team.

And who knows? With so much happening behind the scenes at Belgian Cycling Factory, the conversations in Girona might even reveal a glimpse of what is coming next.

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Three brands, one Sea Otter experience

The Kanzo Fast 2.0 press camp is only the beginning of Belgian Cycling Factory's presence in Girona. From September 18 to 20, Ridley, Eddy Merckx Bikes and Nukeproof will be present at the Sea Otter Europe exhibition. Visitors can find the three brands at booth G24-E, where our team will showcase the latest developments and a selection of bikes from across the portfolio.

The event also offers visitors the opportunity to experience the bikes beyond the exhibition stand. Through the Sea Otter Europe demo bike programme, riders can get out on the circuits and test bikes for themselves – a fitting addition to a festival that puts riding and discovery at the heart of the experience.

For Belgian Cycling Factory, the event is also an important opportunity to meet retailers, distributors, cycling professionals and potential new partners from across the international cycling industry.

From press camp to gravel race

There is one more reason why Girona is such a fitting location for the Kanzo Fast 2.0 press camp: the weekend also features a major gravel race counting towards the UCI Gravel World Series.

The 226ERS UCI Gravel World Series Sea Otter Europe Girona covers 109 kilometres and includes around 940 metres of elevation gain. After the start, riders immediately face a demanding climb of more than five kilometres, followed by technical sections, fast gravel tracks and another potentially decisive climb towards the final stages of the race.

Several riders with links to Ridley will take on the challenge, including ambassadors Daan Grosemans and Daan Soete, as well as marketing colleague Dries Grosemans. And there is a particularly nice connection between the race and our presence in Girona: Daan Soete won the Sea Otter Europe gravel race last year. From the journalists testing the latest generation of the Kanzo Fast, to riders racing it on the gravel roads around Girona, the circle is complete.