The pilot, marked in the motorcycle off-road vehicle, participated in the World E-Bike World Cup in Cervinia. In this interview he tells us the differences of these two worlds, between strategies, autonomy and the technical difficulties of a track made insidious by the rain
Its name is well known to off -road enthusiasts: Thomas Oldrati It is one of the pillars of theenduro blue, a pilot who He has been running for almost 20 years And he makes school on the toughest paths on the planet. Born in Bergamo, born in 1989, he was Junior world champion in 2008, three times vice -champion world champion, twice third overall, he won for 13 times the Italian title And two wins at the six days. Yet even those who have already written important pages in the history of off -road vehicle never stop looking for new challenges. That’s why we met him in an unusual context: the Enduro e-bike world cup played a Cervinia On Saturday 26 July 2025. A return, for him, rather than a debut: “A few years ago I had already participated in some race of the Italian championship and also in a stage of the E-bike world. Then I was stopped for a while, between the leg injury and the arrival of my son – explained the Bergamo pilot -. But as soon as the opportunity presented himself, I took the jump ball. Return to compete in this context, in the middle of the mountains, I am enjoying me a lot“.
a new dimension
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Despite the veteran curriculum, Oldrati knows well that moving from the bike to e-bike is not at all obvious. Sensations change, as well as strategies. And above all the way of interpreting the path changes. “In the race there are Analogies with traditional endurothe one with the motorcycle: you have a roadmap, the time checks to be respected and the final ranking is played on the time accumulated in the special tests. But when it comes to driving, the comparison between an enduro and e-bike bike becomes complicated. They are two different worlds“. The Bergamo pilot enters in detail with competence and honesty:” E-bike is a motorized bicycle, but it still remains a bike, if you do not pedal it does not move. He needs a different approach – said Oldrati -. The curves, for example, face each other in a softer way, you have to be regular, keep the speed and avoid errors. With the bike you can enter stronger, curb more deeply and then relaunch. With the bike, If you make a mistake or slow down too much, recover is hard. “
motorcyclist or rider?
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There are those who ask themselves if it is easier for a motorcyclist to go to the bicycle or vice versa. Oldrati has no doubts: “Those who are good at the motorbike generally succeeds in adapt well to the bike. It is a more natural passage, even if we talk about medium levels. At the top of the rankings, the speech changes: there are there pure specialists, people who come from the competitive MTB and have a impressive controldownhill as uphill. But those who have a motorcycle experience can have their say, especially downhill, where the feeling with the vehicle, balance and reading of the ground make the difference. “And he himself considers, of course, even more motorcyclist than biker, even if at the end of the Cervinia adventure he found himself Vice -champion of the world. “I like the bike, especially downhill. But I don’t call myself a professional. It’s something I do out of passion – added Oldrati – I train, I enjoy it, and when I can I take off some satisfaction. The enduro remains my world “.
guaranteed fun
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The Cervinia route He did not discount anyone. The weather conditions have further complicated an already technical path. “There were four specials, some to be repeated twice. In all six timed sections, with very different characteristics – explained Oldrati – some were fast and guided, others more slow and technical, with wet roots, mud and traits in strong slope. There was from have funbut also from be careful. One of the hardest tests was really steep with little grip. The first, however, was longer with some pedal sections. A right variety that reflects well the spirit of the electric enduro “. Cervinia, with the breathtaking views and the imposing climbs, a confirmed is confirmed ideal frame for an event of this type. And the logistics, at least in this case, played in favor of the athletes: “The ascents were done in cable carexcept for a couple – so olds – this allowed us to face the tests without thinking too much about the consumption of drums“.
the unknown autonomy
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For those coming from the world of motorcycles, the idea of “managing a battery” may seem strange. But with the race e-bikes it is a crucial theme. “On this occasion, with mechanized ascents, the problem did not possess – said Oldrati – but in other competitions, where you have to pedal so much and the differences in height are important, you need to be far -sighted. In the special from everythingalways select the Maximum level of assistancebut in transfers you have to dose the help of the engine. Sometimes it is better to lower the level of assistance and put a little more of the leg, so as not to risk stay dry before the race ends. “A metaphor makes the idea well:” When the battery ends, It’s like pushing a bike left without petrol. And by these means, I assure you that it is not a walk “.
winning coupled
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Oldrati runs with an e-bike Polini Motorized Fulgura technical combination that is showing itself competitive even at the highest levels. “It is a well -balanced package. Fulgur invests a lot in competitions and you can see it in the details of the frames, designed to make the difference in the race – so olds -. The Polini engine gives one decisive but progressive pushwhich helps to manage even the most complicated features well. A winning system has been created and the fact that many drivers choose these bikes confirms it. “Perhaps a new frontier for the E-Bike enduro. There are those who see it as one passenger fashionbut Oldrati is not of this notice: “The movement is growing. More and more manufacturers overlook this world, the races are well organized and there is an interest. It will never be an alternative toenduro in motionbut it can be an interesting addition, especially for those who want to continue having fun even when you are out of season or do not want to face long trips. And it is a Great trainingalso for the bike “.
a new frontier
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Thomas Oldrati does not need to demonstrate anything to anyone. But his presence in Cervinia, his curiosity and his enthusiasm in returning to the race tell much more than a simple participation. Show that the true sporting spirit It is not measured only with the medalsbut with the continuous desire to get involved. Also and perhaps above all, when the ground changes and the engines make room for the electrical silence of bicycles with pedal assisted.
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