Brembo enters the world of human powered bikes with Specialized

New arrivals in the cycling space continue to come from the automotive industry, and so it’s the case with the news that Brembo is entering the bicycle world, with Specialized.

Before getting into the details, we should point out that Brembo acquired Öhlins in October of 2024. Also worth mentioning here: This won’t be the first time a motorcycle business has chosen Downhill as a testbed for its product development programme(s).

Interesting times ahead for sure.

Now, back to the news of the day. The press release reads:

Brembo, supplier of braking systems for Formula 1 and MotoGP and synonymous with excellence in braking, broadens its horizons in the realm of two-wheel applications.

The company, a technological leader in Motorsport, officially enters – for the first time – mountain bike racing competition, specifically the Downhill World Cup. This happens alongside an exceptional partner: Specialized Bicycles’ Gravity Team – one of the most prominent international entities in the cycling world.

First time on track

The official debut will take place during the race in Val di Sole, scheduled for June 20-22 as part of the 2025 UCI MTB World Series calendar. This date is significant for more than one reason.

The weekend of June 20-22, coinciding with the Brembo Italian Moto Grand Prix, all enthusiasts will be able to see the Specialized Gravity Team bike live inside the Mugello paddock.

“Officially entering the highest level of professional Downhill racing is a thrilling new challenge for Brembo. We are proud to do so with a team and a brand that share our same vision of performance and innovation, and it is no coincidence that this is happening in the year of Brembo’s 50^th anniversary in Motorsport competitions” comments Andrea Paganessi, Brembo Motorcycle Global Chief Operating Officer.

“Today, we can confidently say that thanks to Brembo’s technological advancements, braking has been taken to an entirely new level”.

Partnership in focus

The partnership between Brembo and Specialized stems from a shared vision: pushing the boundaries of technology and performance, even on the most extreme grounds. Both companies share profound values such as continuous innovation, the pursuit of excellence, and a passion for high-level sports.

“At Specialized, we’ve always believed that racing is the ultimate proving ground for innovation,” said Armin Landgraf, CEO of Specialized.

“We hold our partners to the same high standards we set for ourselves, and Brembo’s legacy of forward-thinking engineering and race-proven performance made them the clear choice. This partnership represents a strategic investment in cutting-edge technology designed to support our athletes at the highest level. As downhill racing continues to evolve, this collaboration ensures we deliver breakthroughs that start on the podium and shape the future of the sport.”

To further strengthen this collaboration, another key player in technical excellence joins the effort: Öhlins. A global benchmark in high-performance suspension systems, Öhlins has supported Specialized and the Gravity Team since 2013 in UCI World Cup and World Championships. Having become part of the Brembo Group at the beginning of 2025, the Swedish company is a crucial element in the Group’s strategy to expand its technological leadership in both two- and four-wheel sectors.

Brembo motorsport history

Known for its dominance in Formula 1, MotoGP and World Superbike, Brembo brings decades of winning experience from the most renowned world championships, with over 700 Motorsport world titles won in 50 years of racing history.

A new chapter

“Together with Specialized legacy, characterized by values such as a drive for innovation, extreme research in mountain bike design and cyclist-oriented development, the collaboration represents a bold step forward in the evolution of gravity racing.

“This strategic alliance represents just the beginning of Brembo’s journey, aiming to redefine braking standards at the highest level of racing by bringing the Italian company’s expertise and technology to new grounds, always with an eye towards the future.”