Bike Festival Riva del Garda - Day 1: Sun, stars and novelties - the Lake Garda highlights

The festival is underway, let the season begin! From Friday to Sunday, the 32nd FSA Bike Festival will be dancing in Riva del Garda, marking the traditional start to the 2026 bike and gravel season. The festival not only aims to celebrate cycling, but also to strengthen the community: Shared experiences, an Italian attitude to life, social responsibility and genuine togetherness are on the programme.

Innovations from the Expo

Brembo shows first production-ready disc brake

At the stand of brake manufacturer Brembo, the first mountain bike brake from the motorbike specialists will be on display. The Italians' expertise is considered the ultimate in the MotoGP circus - almost all teams rely on Brembo systems.

Attentive observers of the Downhill World Cup have known since last year that Brembo is now also tackling the mountain bike segment. Together with the professional downhill athletes of the Specialized Gravity Racing Team, the company has been working on the new GR Pro for some time. Downhill superstar Loïc Bruni rode the prototype of the Ferrari red disc brake throughout the last World Cup season.

The system is now ready for series production and is set to go on sale from July 2026. The GR Pro is only available as a set for the front and rear wheel, and the price is currently just under €900.

Technically, the four-piston brake on the master has a piston diameter of 9 millimetres; the four slave pistons in the brake calliper each measure 18 millimetres - so far so ordinary. However, the decisive difference to other gravity brakes lies in the extended adjustment options on the lever: in addition to the usual reach and pressure point adjustment, the Brembo has two separate adjustment screws for fine adjustment of the pressure point. A seven-stage adjustment screw regulates the lever travel, while a further three-stage screw changes the characteristics of the pressure point - from very direct to feather-soft.

Maxxis tyres: Five-strong model range for 32-inch tyres

The Bike Festival Riva shows once again that the giant 32-inch wheels are no longer a niche marketing gimmick, but have a firm grip on new mountain bike developments. But while a large part of the industry is still working on prototypes and concept bikes, one manufacturer has firmly integrated the 32-inch theme into its 2026 sales range: Maxxis.

The tyre giant is catering to the trend with not just one, but five tyre models for 32-inch bikes: the Aspen ST, explicitly for gravel bikes, the normal Aspen as a crossover between cross-country and marathon, the Aspen AT as a pure XC tyre and the tried-and-tested Forecaster and Dissector treads for trail use. Each tyre will cost 75 euros. This puts the 32-inch models five euros above the price level of the 29-inch models due to the higher material costs.

Unno Mith with DJI drive: high-end Dreambuild with power upgrade

The Unno Mith with DJI drive is definitely one of the most exciting dream builds to be seen in the Expo area. The classy carbon enduro from Barcelona remains true to its radical design language, but has made significant improvements under the bonnet: With the new DJI Avinox M2S motor with up to 150 Nm of torque, the Mith 2026 is currently one of the most powerful E-MTBs ever. At the same time, the bike remains beautifully slim despite its full-power approach - not least thanks to the comparatively compact motor and clever integration. The exclusive high-end build at the DT Swiss stand emphasises the Spanish label's boutique claim: the finest components, the benchmark drive and the unique design make a statement - both technically and visually.

DT Swiss 1500 Carbon wheels

DT Swiss presents its new DT Swiss 1500 carbon wheels. The completely redesigned wheel series consistently focuses on carbon rims, combined with asymmetric rim design and model-specific setups for different areas of use - from cross-country to enduro and e-MTB. The aim is greater durability combined with lower rotating mass and noticeably better acceleration.

Particularly exciting: With the EXC 1500, DT Swiss is introducing carbon wheels with official downhill approval (ASTM 5) for the first time - a clear statement in the direction of maximum resilience. At the same time, the new rims are deliberately designed to be closer to aluminium in terms of ride feel, so they don't feel overly hard, but remain supple even on rough trails, improve traction and prevent fatigue.

In terms of technology, DT Swiss also relies on the new DEG freehub system, which allows the cassette to rotate freely to a certain degree before the pawls engage, independently of the freehub. This reduces pedal kickback and allows the suspension to work more freely. The degree of freedom available can be set in three stages directly on the trail without tools. The new 1500 series is high-end - both in terms of price and technology - and is aimed at ambitious riders who are looking for a lightweight, robust and versatile wheel set-up.

Mahle M40 engine: Lightweight powerhouse as an Avinox alternative?

The new Mahle M40 is also an exciting topic at the Bike Festival. The German-Spanish newcomer marks Mahle's entry into the full-power e-MTB sector and combines an astonishingly low weight of around 2.6 kilos with plenty of power: the compact mid-motor delivers up to 105 Nm of torque and 850 watts of peak power to the trail.

We have already been able to test the engine. Particularly striking: despite its compact design, the M40 delivers an extremely powerful pull and is clearly on a par with the powerful systems on the market. At the same time, the drive scores with smart features and modern, finely tunable engine characteristics.

The presentation at the Mahle stand was a real eye-catcher: in a glass bike, visitors can view the entire Mahle ecosystem in detail as if on an X-ray - from the motor and battery to the integration of all components. This makes not only the performance tangible, but also the technical sophistication behind the system visible.

The Bike Festival Awards 2026

The Bike Festival Awards were presented at the start of the festival on Friday afternoon. The high-calibre jury selected their favourites in three categories. The award-winning products can of course all be admired throughout the festival on the Expo site. The following products won:

• Gravel: Scott Solace
• Innovation: Uvex CCubed Padding System
• Sustainability: Vittoria Terreno Pro Gravel Race

All details about the award winners can be found directly here in the link!

Bosch e-bike 2026

Just like last year, Bosch is once again using the Bike Festival as a stage for its innovations in the e-bike sector. The big topic is the Performance Upgrade 2.0: this software update will make the Performance CX and CX-R e-MTB motors even more powerful. Up to 120 Newton metres and 600 percent support will be on the data sheet in future. All Bosch news can be experienced live on the Expo site.

In addition to the comprehensive software package, the Swabians have also announced a fast charger which, with 12 amps and 500 watts, should charge three times faster than the classic 4A charger. And it weighs less than a kilo! Another new feature is the open interface, which makes Bosch drives compatible with Garmin-style end devices. Here are all Bosch innovations in detail.

Bikers Choice Award

This year sees the premiere of an award that will be decided by the biggest and most honest jury of all: The visitors to the festival expo area - and therefore you too! The best brand presentations will be honoured in four categories:

• Best Stand - The stand that convinced you at first sight: Design, energy and presence
• Best Crew - The team that immediately made you feel at home: openness, passion and positive vibes
• Experience Highlight - The activity that really inspired you: Tests, challenges or special moments
• Must have gadget - The gadget you absolutely had to take with you

The winners will be chosen on Sunday - so be sure to vote if you're there!

New highlight in advance: Epicnight

Even before the official opening, the Epicnight premièred on Thursday evening. A night-time no-race ride for everyone - with gravel, MTB and e-bikes. Kilometres under the stars, freedom, music and a big closing party by the lake to kick off the bike festival. A highlight even before the official opening of the festival.

The start was shortly before sunset. The route led through the atmospheric heart of the Sarca Valley - accompanied only by the light of your own headlights. There were two routes to choose from, suitable for different levels of ability and ideal for gravel, MTB and e-bikes. The Epicline with a length of around 80 kilometres and the 40-kilometre Easyline. The finish line had a special atmosphere - the lakeside of Torbole became a party mile with a DJ set by AndyLove. Ideal for celebrating the start of the Bike Festival together. No race. No time pressure. Just a communal experience under the stars.

E-Racing: The Bosch E-MTB Challenge

The Bosch E-MTB Challenge attracted a particularly large number of riders this year. In addition to amateur bikers, many stars such as Danny MacAskill also took part. And the Pro class was packed with current top racers. Christian Textor was at the start, as was three-time E-world champion Jerome Gilloux. Frenchman Theo Ruhlmann and German Helen Weber, both from the Rotwild Schwalbe Gravity Team, finished at the top of the podium.

Men - Pro-Class

1. Theo Ruhlmann
2. Kenny Muller
3. Kelan Grant

Ladies - Pro-Class

1. Helen Weber
2. Anna Spielmann
3. Tracy Mosely

Why it's worth travelling to Lake Garda

The Bike Festival is an event you can feel. Over 1500 test bikes, the Expo area right on the lake and a programme that ranges from the first pedal stroke to the last party will ensure adrenaline, action and fun in 2026 too. Sporting highlights such as the Bike Marathon, the MAXXIS Gravel Garda Trentino, the Bosch eMTB Challenge and the SCOTT Junior Trophy meet new experience formats: Sunrise and Sunset Rides, Gravel Tours and the new Overnight Bikepacking take the Garda Trentino feeling to a new level. What also makes the festival special is the atmosphere. Whether social rides, skill sessions or guided tours - everyone can find an approach to biking here. "Year after year, the festival brings people together who share the same enthusiasm for cycling and an active lifestyle. This turns the region into a place of encounters, exchange and new inspiration," says Oskar Schwazer, General Manager of the Garda Trentino Tourist Board.

Innovation and responsibility

In addition to action and adventure, the festival will also remain a platform for the future of bike sports. The Bike Festival Award will be expanded to include categories such as gravel innovation, sustainability and ecological, social or economic initiatives, while the Future Summit will focus on the role of AI in the bike and outdoor sector. At the same time, the focus is on sustainable event management and cooperation with regional partners in order to conserve resources and strengthen the region.