#USA #Milan #Elitewheels #evolve CIMA #NIPPO Rali

Elitewheels and Evolve Power: Aiming for Grand Tour Success in 2026

As the 2026 season approaches, the realm of professional cycling is entering an exciting new chapter of global collaboration. Elitewheels, alongside its sister brand Evolve, is renewing its partnership with the UCI ProTeam Solution Tech – NIPPO – Rali. This collaboration seeks to elevate performance, innovation, and international recognition in the sport.

A Solid Foundation: Year Two of Their Partnership

After a commendable debut season in 2025, Elitewheels is set to bolster its support for the team, now focusing on potential Grand Tour triumphs. As part of their commitment, Elitewheels will continue to supply cutting-edge wheels while Evolve introduces its flagship CIMA performance road frameset, marked by co-branding efforts with Panama distributor Rali.

The results of the 2025 season affirmed the value of this collaboration: the team raced with Elitewheels’ Drive, Drive Helix SS, and Velo TT wheelsets, achieving podium finishes, stage victories, and General Classification wins in tournaments such as the Tour of Slovenia and Tour of Hainan. Their impressive performances at high-profile WorldTour events, including Strade Bianche, Milano-Sanremo, UAE Tour, and Copenhagen Sprint, signaled a promising partnership ahead.

Team Manager Serge expressed satisfaction with their debut year, stating, “Our first year with Elitewheels exceeded expectations. The wheels delivered confidence everywhere, from crosswinds to full-gas sprints.” Esteemed sprinter Dušan Rajović, a seven-time champion, echoed this sentiment, commending the components for their stiffness and speed.

Precision and Innovation for 2026

For the upcoming season, the Solution Tech – NIPPO – Rali team will utilize three of Elitewheels’ flagship models designed for the ultimate racing experience:

• - Drive II: A refined all-round race wheel that has benefited from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and testing at Silverstone, saving around 5 watts compared to its predecessor.
• - Drive Helix CS: This premium all-rounder features a unique helical airflow design providing exceptional stability in crosswinds and superior stiffness.
• - Drive TT: Optimized specifically for time trials, this wheelset is validated at Silverstone for sustained high-speed efficiency.

This carefully curated selection of equipment underscores Elitewheels' unwavering commitment to engineering excellence under the pressures of competition.

Alongside the ProTeam, this partnership will extend to the Toscana Factory Devo Team, the official development squad for Solution Tech – NIPPO Rali. This ensures that young riders will be equipped with the same top-tier performance gear as the professional team, allowing them to grow and thrive in consistent quality.

Evolve's High-Performance CIMA Frameset

Evolve’s contribution to the partnership also shines through with the introduction of the CIMA frameset for 2026. Constructed from TORAY T1100, T800, and M40 carbon, the unpainted M-size frame boasts a light weight of just 650g, marrying ultra-lightweight design with race-ready stiffness. Additionally, wind tunnel tests conducted at Silverstone indicate that the CIMA, paired with KREUZA aerodynamic accessories, can save an average of 4.1 watts, which roughly translates to nearly 48 seconds improvement over 40 km at an output of 300W.

Founded by industry veterans and ex-UCI professional cyclists, Evolve adopts a rider-centric approach focused on real-world performance, swiftly gaining recognition among both elite riders and cycling enthusiasts, thus establishing itself as a formidable player in the global road bike market.

The Road Ahead

What sets this partnership apart is not merely the sponsorship, but rather a technology-focused collaboration. Engineers, riders, and mechanics are working in tandem to fine-tune aerodynamics, stiffness, and efficiency throughout the season. They share a unified vision: advancing global cycling performance, while also marking China’s engineering prowess as a significant presence in the sport’s elite sphere.

For more information, visit Elitewheels and Evolve Bicycles.