Most aspiring road cyclists dream of reaching the professional peloton, putting in thousands of gruelling hours in the saddle just to have a shot at the top. After two years spent racing around the world though, Mattia de Marchi had had enough of the data-driven analysis, and wanted to take things back to basics…
Finding love on two wheels with Mattia de Marchi
Click PLay to watch
There could only be one start and end point for the event – Asiago’s Col de Sole bike hotel. Its owner, Antonio, has been supporting cycling tourism in the region for years, and is involved with the maintenance of the local trails. The hotel even has its own fleet of 3T Exploro gravel bikes, which can be borrowed for a day or even longer for exploring what Asiago has to offer.
Asiago’s Col de Sole bike hotel
the START
When plotting the route, Mattia wanted to give riders the true Asiago experience. His 300km trail ticked off all seven of the area’s municipalities, blending compact gravel, access roads and hike-a-bike sections of singletrack with welcome sections of smooth asphalt. There was the small matter of more than 8,000m of elevation to contend with too, but the amazing views at the summit of each Alpine climb made up for the suffering.
Amazing Summit Views
300KM TRAIL
The Altopiano di Asiago is also rich in history. The region’s mountain ranges were the scene of fierce battles between the Italian and Austrian armies on the Alpine front of the first world war. Today, the same military roads can be joined up with mule tracks and wild paths to create an unspoilt landscape perfect for a challenging-yet-rewarding gravel event.
Perfect Unspoiled Landscapes
Unlike a standard race, a Jeroboam event has a more relaxed nature – the challenge merely to complete the distance, rather than record the fastest time. A number of checkpoints were included throughout, giving the riders a chance to keep an eye on their progress, as well as providing some well-earned food and even a place to get some respite before they set off again.
A well earned Rest
Milestones
You couldn’t escape the mountains on Mattia’s route. Bookended by the climbs of Cima Ekar and Mount Cengio, there was no let-up from beginning to end, while riders had an ascent of Mount Grappa to deal with at the midway point. What comes up must come down though, with some amazing downhill stretches that went on for upwards of 20km.
A mountain escape
Mattia’s Route
Military Roads
Scenery hunting, the Italian way
Scroll down to explore
To find out more on the
Jeroboam series, click here
On May 29, 2021, the Italian ultra-distance cyclist Mattia de Marchi and a band of like-minded suffer-seekers set off from Asiago, a sleepy town nestled deep in the Venetian foothills of the Italian alps. Ahead of them lay 300km of white gravel roads, dusty mountain paths and the small matter of 8,420m of elevation gain.
Here, de Marchi shares his journey to becoming one of the world’s best gravel riders, and the story of the Altopiano di Asiago addition to the Jeroboam gravel event series.
Mattia doesn’t just race events over long distances, but he also helps organise them too. A keen route planner, he was tasked with plotting the 300km trail for the Altopiano di Asiago edition of the Jeroboam gravel series.
After many years in the saddle, I came to the conclusion that the act of cycling is enough for me to be happy and alive. When I met some people with the same feelings, Enough Cycling Collective was born.
in charge
hover and click to explore
Alongside seven other like-minded cyclists, Mattia set up Enough. Cycling Collective. The group sees cycling as a way to see everything from remote areas to their own backyards, and is a million miles from the data – and performance-driven world of the professional peloton.
hover and click to explore
After many years in the saddle, I came to the conclusion that the act of cycling is enough for me to be happy and alive. When I met some people with the same feelings, Enough Cycling Collective was born.
A Cycling COllective
His time away from competitive cycling didn’t last for long. Mattia found himself drawn to ultra-distance challenges – both on the road and, thanks to his 3T Exploro gravel bike, on the beaten track too. He is a natural at it too and took the win in the 360km edition of Traka Girona 2021.
I learnt how important it is to chill on a bike, but I still need to race every now and then. I needed it that day at the Traka and enjoyed it to the full.
Returning to the Challenge
hover and click to explore
After two years racing in Continental-level teams, Mattia fell out of love with cycling. Despite some impressive results, he walked away from his career as a professional on the world stage.
hover and click to explore
With regret, in the end I decided to stop with professional cycling. Life is not all about cycling. Life goes on. So full speed ahead!
Walking Away
Racing bikes have been part of Mattia de Marchi’s life since he was 9 years old. After starting in the youth categories, he made his way through the ranks, signing his first professional contract in 2016 and winning his first race – the queen stage of the Tour of China – just two months in. Road cycling is a family affair too – his cousin, Alessandro de Marchi even wore the pink leader’s jersey at the 2021 Giro d’Italia for two days.
Live to Cycle
hover and click to explore
I think I proved to everyone that effort and perseverance can produce results that exceeded expectations.
The aerodynamically optimised carbon fibre frame is made for going fast. Full of Italian design flourishes, it’s not just a pretty picture though and can withstand incredibly tough terrain.
Bike frame:
3T Exploro RaceMax
The gravel-specific aluminium wheels are optimised for long days spent leaving the tarmac behind.
Wheels: Fulcrum Rapid Red 650b
These mixed-terrain tyres have amazing grip, while their large size helps smooth out some of the harshest trails.
Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato M 650b 50mm
Going deep into the wilderness requires you to keep your essentials at hand. A frame bag, food pouch and saddle pack are ideal for storing supplies and any tools for trail-side repairs.
Bags: Missgrape Internode + Bud + Cluster 7
This GPS’ huge screen allows you to keep track of everything without having to stop – from live heart rate and power data to navigating the race’s route.
GPS computer: Garmin Edge 1030 plus
These power metre pedals are the latest in off-road innovation, enabling riders to measure watts on the go.
Pedals: Garmin Rally XC200
The 13-speed set-up from the iconic Italian component manufacturer is the lightest gravel groupset around, adding just 2.3kg to the bike’s overall weight.
Groupset: Campagnolo Ekar
Equipment that’s off the chain
Click to explore
All events are split into four distances – the 300km jeroboam, 150km magnum, 75km standard and 37.5km demi family ride. Each offers the perfect blend of a physical challenge and fun on fantastic gravel roads.
The distances
All are billed as gravel festivals. Originally, this summed up the road surface. Then it became a type of bike capable of much more than just riding on gravel. Now, ‘gravel’ is a way of cycling: discovering new places and people and the fun on the journey, rather than just getting to the finish line fast.
The event
A jeroboam is a three-litre wine bottle – the equivalent of four normal wine bottles. The event takes its name from the fact that the first Jeroboam event was held in Franciacorta, an Italian area famous for its sparkling wine.
The Name
The Jeroboam series explained
click to explore
Franciacorta, Italy
Franciacorta, Italy
Franciacorta, Italy
Switzerland
Spain
Czech Republic
Franciacorta, Italy
Greece
Costa Rica
Japan
Spain
Greece
Patagonia
Malaysia
Spain
Franciacorta, Italy
Dolomites, Italy
Asiago, Italy
Greece
Costa Rica
Patagonia
Japan
Malaysia
Mallorca, Spain
Austria
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
The Locations
After starting in Franciacorta in 2017, the Jeroboam series has expanded around the world. Locations have spread as far and wide as Japan in the east to Patagonia in the west. The calendar for 2022 is rich and will be the most expansive yet.
click to explore
Sponsored By 3T
The gravel bug
SCROLL DOWN
How one Italian cyclist ditched the pro peloton for a life of exploring.
Most aspiring road cyclists dream of reaching the professional peloton, putting in thousands of gruelling hours in the saddle just to have a shot at the top. After two years spent racing around the world though, Mattia de Marchi had had enough of the data-driven analysis, and wanted to take things back to basics…
Finding love
on two wheels with Mattia
de Marchi
Click PLay to watch
To find out more on the
Jeroboam series, click here
On May 29, 2021, the Italian ultra-distance cyclist Mattia de Marchi and a band of like-minded suffer-seekers set off from Asiago, a sleepy town nestled deep in the Venetian foothills of the Italian alps. Ahead of them lay 300km of white gravel roads, dusty mountain paths and the small matter of 8,420m of elevation gain.
Here, de Marchi shares his journey to becoming one of the world’s best gravel riders, and the story of the Altopiano di Asiago addition to the Jeroboam gravel event series.
Mattia doesn’t just race events over long distances, but he also helps organise them too. A keen route planner, he was tasked with plotting the 300km trail for the Altopiano di Asiago edition of the Jeroboam gravel series.
After many years in the saddle, I came to the conclusion that the act of cycling is enough for me to be happy and alive. When I met some people with the same feelings, Enough Cycling Collective was born.
in charge
click to explore
Alongside seven other like-minded cyclists, Mattia
set up Enough. Cycling Collective. The group sees cycling as a way to see everything from remote areas to their own backyards, and is a million miles from the data – and performance-driven world of the professional peloton.
After many years in the saddle, I came to the conclusion that the act of cycling is enough for me to be happy and alive. When I met some people with the same feelings, Enough Cycling Collective was born.
A Cycling COllective
click to explore
His time away from competitive cycling didn’t last for long. Mattia found himself drawn to ultra-distance challenges – both on the road and, thanks to his 3T Exploro gravel bike, on the beaten track too. He is a natural at it too and took the win in the 360km edition of Traka Girona 2021.
I learnt how important it is to chill on a bike, but I still need to race every now and then. I needed it that day at the Traka and enjoyed it to the full.
Returning to the Challenge
click to explore
After two years racing in Continental-level teams, Mattia fell out of love with cycling. Despite some impressive results, he walked away from his career as a professional on the world stage.
click to explore
With regret, in the end I decided to stop with professional cycling. Life is not all about cycling. Life goes on. So full speed ahead!
Walking Away
Racing bikes have been part of Mattia de Marchi’s life since he was 9 years old. After starting in the youth categories, he made his way through the ranks, signing his first professional contract in 2016 and winning his first race – the queen stage of the Tour of China – just two months in. Road cycling is a family affair too – his cousin, Alessandro de Marchi even wore the pink leader’s jersey at the 2021 Giro d’Italia for two days.
Live to Cycle
click to explore
I think I proved to everyone that effort and perseverance can
produce results that
exceeded expectations.
There could only be one start and end point for the event – Asiago’s Col de Sole bike hotel. Its owner, Antonio, has been supporting cycling tourism in the region for years, and is involved with the maintenance of the local trails. The hotel even has its own fleet of 3T Exploro gravel bikes, which can be borrowed for a day or even longer for exploring what Asiago has to offer.
Asiago’s Col de Sole bike hotel
the START
When plotting the route, Mattia wanted to give riders the true Asiago experience. His 300km trail ticked off all seven of the area’s municipalities, blending compact gravel, access roads and hike-a-bike sections of singletrack with welcome sections of smooth asphalt. There was the small matter of more than 8,000m of elevation to contend with too, but the amazing views at the summit of each Alpine climb made up for the suffering.
Amazing Summit Views
300KM TRAIL
The Altopiano di Asiago is also rich in history. The region’s mountain ranges were the scene of fierce battles between the Italian and Austrian armies on the Alpine front of the first world war. Today, the same military roads can be joined up with mule tracks and wild paths to create an unspoilt landscape perfect for a challenging-yet-rewarding gravel event.
Perfect Unspoiled Landscapes
Unlike a standard race, a Jeroboam event has a more relaxed nature – the challenge merely to complete the distance, rather than record the fastest time. A number of checkpoints were included throughout, giving the riders a chance to keep an eye on their progress, as well as providing some well-earned food and even a place to get some respite before they set off again.
A well earned Rest
Milestones
You couldn’t escape the mountains on Mattia’s route. Bookended by the climbs of Cima Ekar and Mount Cengio, there was no let-up from beginning to end, while riders had an ascent of Mount Grappa to deal with at the midway point. What comes up must come down though, with some amazing downhill stretches that went on for upwards of 20km.
A mountain escape
Mattia's Route
Military Roads
Scenery hunting, the Italian way
Scroll down to explore
The aerodynamically optimised carbon fibre frame is made for going fast. Full of Italian design flourishes, it’s not just a pretty picture though and can withstand incredibly tough terrain.
Bike frame:
3T Exploro RaceMax
These mixed-terrain tyres have amazing grip, while their large size helps smooth out some of the harshest trails.
Tyres: Pirelli Cinturato M 650b 50mm
Going deep into the wilderness requires you to keep your essentials at hand. A frame bag, food pouch and saddle pack are ideal for storing supplies and any tools for trail-side repairs.
Bags: Missgrape Internode + Bud + Cluster 7
This GPS’ huge screen allows you to keep track of everything without having to stop – from live heart rate and power data to navigating the race’s route.
GPS computer: Garmin Edge 1030 plus
These power metre pedals are the latest in off-road innovation, enabling riders to measure watts on the go.
Pedals: Garmin Rally XC200
The 13-speed set-up from the iconic Italian component manufacturer is the lightest gravel groupset around, adding just 2.3kg to the bike’s overall weight.
Groupset: Campagnolo Ekar
The gravel-specific aluminium wheels are optimised for long days spent leaving the tarmac behind.
Wheels: Fulcrum
Rapid Red 650b
Equipment that’s off
the chain
Click to explore
All events are split into four distances – the 300km jeroboam, 150km magnum, 75km standard and 37.5km demi family ride. Each offers the perfect blend of a physical challenge and fun on fantastic gravel roads.
The distances
All are billed as gravel festivals. Originally, this summed up the road surface. Then it became a type of bike capable of much more than just riding on gravel. Now, ‘gravel’ is a way of cycling: discovering new places and people and the fun on the journey, rather than just getting to the finish line fast.
The event
A jeroboam is a three-litre wine bottle – the equivalent of four normal wine bottles. The event takes its name from the fact that the first Jeroboam event was held in Franciacorta, an Italian area famous for its sparkling wine.
The Name
The Jeroboam series explained
click to explore
Franciacorta, Italy
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Franciacorta, Italy
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Franciacorta,
Italy
Switzerland
Spain
Czech Republic
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Greece
Costa Rica
Japan
Franciacorta,
Italy
Spain
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Patagonia
Malaysia
Spain
Greece
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Dolomites,
Italy
Asiago,
Italy
Japan
Mallorca
Austria
Costa Rica
Franciacorta,
Italy
Greece
Patagonia
Malaysia
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
The Locations
After starting in Franciacorta in 2017, the Jeroboam series has expanded around the world. Locations have spread as far and wide as Japan in the east to Patagonia in the west. The calendar for 2022 is rich and will be the most expansive yet.
click to explore
Sponsored By 3T
The gravel bug
SCROLL DOWN
How one Italian cyclist ditched the pro peloton for a life
of exploring.