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Mattia De Marchi won stage 1 of the 2026 Gravel Burn in South Africa by attacking with 5km remaining, taking the stage by 13 seconds and the orange leader’s jersey. A rear-wheel puncture and broken wheel on stage 2 cost him 40 minutes, while Cycling Weekly’s report highlighted his Wilier Rave SLR ID2 setup, including 2.2-inch tyres, elastic-secured bottles, a top-tube bag and wireless blips.
Italian rider Mattia De Marchi won stage 1 of the 2026 Gravel Burn in South Africa, attacking with 5km remaining to take the stage by 13 seconds and claim the orange leader’s jersey. Cycling Weekly’s report on the 35-year-old’s race bike also details practical gravel-racing choices, including elastic bands over bottle cages, a top-tube bag and wireless gear-shift buttons beneath the handlebar.
De Marchi said he felt poor early in the stage but improved as he warmed up. Familiarity with the route, from his participation in the previous year’s race, shaped his approach: he said he wanted to establish a gap before the main climb. He attacked with 5km to go and pushed again in the final kilometre. The result was his first-stage win of the 2026 race and a 13-second margin, according to the report.
His lead did not last. A rear-wheel puncture and a smashed rear wheel on stage 2 cost De Marchi 40 minutes and ended his general-classification ambitions. The report said he remained upbeat and planned to pursue stage wins over the race’s remaining six stages. The replacement Miche Graff Pro wheels shown on his bike were used after the damage.
The build is a Wilier Rave SLR ID2 in the magenta-and-purple livery of The Grip, the gravel team De Marchi joined in early 2026 after moving from Basso. Its components include SRAM Red XPLR AXS, a 48-tooth chainring and a 10-46 cassette. Cycling Weekly reports that the bike ran 2.2-inch Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RM tyres, wider than Wilier’s stated recommended maximum of 2.0 inches, or 52mm. The report describes Elite Leggero carbon bottle cages secured with elastic bands, an Apidura top-tube bag, and wireless blips under the bar for shifting from the tops.
A Stage Win, Then a Mechanical Setback
The result shows how quickly a stage race can turn for a rider targeting the overall standings: De Marchi went from race leader after stage 1 to 40 minutes behind after wheel trouble on stage 2. His shift to stage hunting gives the remaining days a different purpose, but the supplied report does not establish whether he later won another stage.
The equipment details also offer a view of how one rider prepared for rough, long-distance racing. Elastic bands were used to help keep bottles in place, while the top-tube bag provided accessible storage. The wireless blips put shifting within reach when De Marchi was riding on the handlebar tops. These are details of his specific race setup, not evidence that every gravel rider needs the same equipment.
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De Marchi’s Gravel Racing Setup
Gravel Burn is a multi-stage gravel race in South Africa. This was De Marchi’s second appearance at the event, and his knowledge of the route informed his stage 1 tactics. Before joining The Grip in early 2026, he raced on a Basso. The team also includes French rider Eddy Le Huitouze and Belgian rider Jordy Bouts, according to Cycling Weekly.
The report identifies De Marchi as a former road professional who has also won a stage at the 2016 Tour of China. His current bike’s team paint is an optional Wilier finish listed in the report at £400 or €400. Cycling Weekly notes the tyres exceed Wilier’s stated recommended width; it does not report a manufacturer statement approving that particular configuration.
““The feeling wasn’t there at the beginning.””
— Mattia De Marchi
The Race After the Wheel Damage
The supplied report does not give the final overall standings or say whether De Marchi won any of the remaining six stages. It also does not provide a detailed account of the puncture, explain how the rear wheel was smashed, or specify whether the tyre setup caused or contributed to the damage. Although the report notes the 2.2-inch tyres exceed Wilier’s stated recommended maximum, it does not establish a link between tyre clearance and the stage 2 incident.
Six Stages of Stage Hunting
After losing time in the general classification, De Marchi said he would focus on pursuing stage wins in the six stages remaining, as reported by Cycling Weekly. The report does not provide a later result or a schedule of specific stages he might target. Subsequent race updates would clarify whether he returned to the podium and how his campaign finished.
Key Questions
How did Mattia De Marchi win Gravel Burn stage 1?
He attacked with 5km remaining and finished 13 seconds ahead, according to Cycling Weekly. De Marchi said he pushed again with 1km to go.
Why did De Marchi lose his overall-race lead?
A rear-wheel puncture and a smashed rear wheel on stage 2 cost him 40 minutes, ending his general-classification ambitions, the report says.
What stood out about his gravel bike setup?
The reported details include elastic-secured bottles, an Apidura top-tube bag, wireless shifting buttons beneath the bar and 2.2-inch Pirelli tyres on a Wilier Rave SLR ID2.
Did De Marchi’s tyres meet Wilier’s recommended maximum?
No. Cycling Weekly reports that he used 2.2-inch tyres, while Wilier’s stated recommendation is up to 2.0 inches, or 52mm. The report does not say whether Wilier approved this specific setup.
Source: cyclingweekly.com
