The Trentino pro snowboarder, PyeongChang Olympian, has become a new #UrsusGladiator.
A deep breath. Fresh air filling your lungs. Then you dive downhill, searching for the best line. The one that gives you the thrill of speed, the sense of control over the elements. On a snowboard or a bike, Alberto Maffei knows how to push the limits. The twenty-six-year-old from Madonna di Campiglio was born to compete. With other snowboarders, for sure, but first and foremost, the challenge is with himself.
A CHAMPION ON THE RISING
Alberto began competing seriously on the snow in 2010. At the time of his first competitions he was just fifteen years old and achieved his first successes at national level, but it was in 2015 that he made his debut in the Snowboard Freestyle World Cup .
He placed 53rd in the overall Big Air rankings and 70th in the Slopestyle rankings. A year later, he earned his first points, finishing 28th in Milan. This was followed by a spot at the World Championships in Nevada , confirming a growth that shows no signs of slowing down.
The 2017/18 Big Air season is one to remember, thanks to the double top ten achieved in the World Cup (Milan and Moenchengladbach) but above all the qualification for the Olympic Games in South Korea. In Pyeongchang our Alberto (the only Italian in Snowboard Freestyle) finished 12th in his heat and 24th overall.
Alberto returned to racing in the 2020/21 season after recovering from a serious knee injury. In the meantime, he's been working out a lot, not forgetting his beloved bike.
THE RACING BIKE: FROM PURE TRAINING TO A SECOND SKIN
What drives a young snowboarder to take up racing bikes? According to Alberto, it was a completely natural progression. From a supplementary training tool, cycling has become something more: an overwhelming passion. Why? It's thanks to some similarities with the sport he knows best.
Above all, his love for the mountains. Even when Alberto doesn't have a board under his feet, he doesn't want to part with the peaks. So, for him, cycling becomes an opportunity to stay connected to his environment, rediscovering familiar sensations. Feeling the air flow over the handlebars, the wheels gliding by. Mastering the currents, in perfect balance. Finding the most spectacular route and realizing his talent, once again.
SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE: ALBERTO MAFFEI'S CHOICE
A champion like Alberto thrives on adrenaline, but he also knows the risks associated with constantly striving to surpass his performance limits. That's why, as a professional athlete, Maffei considers his choice of equipment crucial.
Like his board, his bike must allow him to improve in complete safety. The new Ursus ambassador has therefore chosen to install only top-of-the-line components. We're talking about a Miura TS47 disc brake wheelset, made of a carbon monocoque. This product combines unparalleled lightness, stability, and smoothness with the reliability of hub braking. In wet conditions, it's a true revolution.
Control is also a priority for a Pro Freestyle Snowboarder. You need a steering system that fully supports your well-trained reflexes. A rigid yet streamlined cockpit. The Magnus H.01 is the ideal solution for our #Gladiator.
