Proven on the Ascent: Elitewheels Heads to Mt. Fuji to Validate Racing Performance on a World-Class Climbing Stage
（April 2026, Xiamen） – Elitewheels, a leading brand in the global carbon fiber wheelset market, today announced its official participation in the 2026 Mt. Fuji Hill Climb, taking place on June 6–7, 2026. As one of Japan’s largest and most challenging cycling events, this race serves as a vital platform for Elitewheels to demonstrate its technical expertise and racing DNA to the global market.
On a legendary 24-kilometer course featuring over 1,200 meters of cumulative elevation gain, culminating at the 2,305-meter Fifth Station of Mt. Fuji, Elitewheels will bring its full range of wheelsets proven in UCI WorldTour competition – meeting the highest performance expectations with real-world racing.
Mt. Fuji: The Ultimate Testing Ground for Climbing Races Worldwide
The Mt. Fuji Hill Climb is renowned for its demanding course conditions. Starting at Fuji-Kitayama Park and finishing at the Fifth Station, the route features an average gradient of 5.2% and a maximum gradient of 7.8%. The course traverses forests, seas of clouds, and volcanic terrain, putting riders’ endurance, mental strength, and equipment to the test.
For a wheelset brand, this is a rare chance to verify authentic product performance – lightweight response, braking stability at high altitude, and handling confidence in complex wind conditions – none of which can be compromised. Elitewheels’ decision to debut here means its products will be validated not in lab data, but in the most extreme riding conditions.
Notably, Elitewheels will dispatch two mystery riders to compete on Drive II wheelsets, racing alongside approximately 8,000 participants from around the world.
Full Product Lineup Debut: From WorldTour Battlefields to the Summit of Mt. Fuji
At this event, Elitewheels will showcase its full range of wheelsets proven in competition with UCI ProTeam Solution Tech – NIPPO – Rali (formerly Solution Tech-Vini Fantini), with the Drive II series as the centerpiece:
Drive 36D II: 36mm rim height, approximately 1,260g – designed for climbing and crosswind stability
Drive 50D II: 50mm rim height, all-around aero wheelset – has won stage victories at the Tour of Hainan
Drive 65D II: 65mm rim height – high-performance aerodynamic wheelset for time trials and sprint stages
The series features Toray carbon fiber, 4.5mm carbon spokes, and ceramic bearings, with aerodynamic optimization completed at the Silverstone wind tunnel in the UK – delivering a 5-watt drag reduction at 45km/h compared to the previous generation.
Additionally, Elitewheels will debut its all-new 2026 road and gravel wheelset lineup in the Japanese market for the first time, further expanding riders’ equipment choices.
Race-Proven Reliability: From WorldTour to GCN
Elitewheels’ brand principle is clear and direct: Rider First.
Since 2022, Elitewheels has continuously sponsored UCI professional teams, directly translating real-world feedback from pro riders into product development. For the 2025 season, Elitewheels officially became the official wheelset partner of UCI ProTeam Solution Tech-Vini Fantini, deepening its collaboration with this Italian powerhouse competing in top-tier races such as Milano-Sanremo, Strade Bianche, and the UAE Tour.
The team boasts a strong roster featuring multiple riders with WorldTour-level experience:
Valerio Conti: Former Giro d’Italia stage winner with exceptional grand tour breakaway capability and GC potential
Yukiya Arashiro: Japanese legendary rider, three-time Olympian, and Tour de France stage winner – an icon of Asian road cycling
Dušan Rajović: Sprint specialist who has secured multiple victories in the 2025-2026 season at events including the Tour of Hainan and Tour of Taiwan
Domenico Pozzovivo: Legendary climber and former Giro d’Italia stage winner, known for his tenacity and mountain ability
Leveraging this multidimensional roster combining sprint, breakaway, and climbing capabilities, Elitewheels is pushing alongside the team toward a Grand Tour wild card invitation – continuously validating wheelset performance on the world’s biggest stages.
Valerio Conti, team star and Giro d’Italia stage winner, commented: “We can put Elitewheels in the same conversation as top brands like Roval and Vision.”
Another rider, Dušan Rajović, added: “Elitewheels are stiff, fast, and unbelievable. The Helix performs perfectly on rolling sections, while the deep-section wheels deliver extreme speed in flat sprints.”
Recent race highlights include:
2025 Milano-Sanremo: Three team riders completed a 240km long-range breakaway on Elitewheels wheelsets
2025 Tour of Hainan: Dušan Rajović won Stage 2; the team’s individual rider claimed the overall GC title
2025 Tour of Thailand: Yukiya Arashiro broke away to take 2nd place on Stage 1; the team secured the overall team classification title
2026 Tour of Taiwan: Dušan Rajović added two more stage victories
2026 Tour of Sharjah: Matteo Fabbro won Stage 4
On the global media front, Elitewheels has also been recognized by GCN (Global Cycling Network), the world’s largest cycling media platform, as its only Chinese carbon wheelset brand partner.
A Decade of Vertical Integration: From Xiamen to 80 Countries
Since its founding in 2015, Elitewheels has consistently adhered to a vertically integrated manufacturing model – from carbon fiber prepreg, resin formulation, rims, and hubs to final assembly – all completed in-house at its Xiamen headquarters. This manufacturing philosophy ensures end-to-end quality control from raw materials to finished products, enabling Elitewheels to deliver competition-grade wheelsets at a superior value proposition.
To date, Elitewheels products have reached over 80 countries and regions, serving more than 150,000 users. Its after-sales service network covers 80% of major markets, and it holds a 4.9-star rating on Trustpilot.
More Than a Booth: Elitewheels Rides Alongside 8,000 Riders
At this Mt. Fuji event, Elitewheels is not a traditional booth exhibitor but a full participant deeply integrated into the race. The brand will set up a dedicated zone on-site, ride the Mt. Fuji course alongside 8,000 participants, and invite both existing and new customers to form teams using Elitewheels products – validating wheelset performance through real competition.
June 6 | Expo Day: Visit the Mt. Fuji event expo to preview Elitewheels WorldTour-level wheelsets and the 2026 new product lineup.
June 7 | Race Day: Registered riders may, at their own discretion, team up with Elitewheels’ mystery guests and squad to experience firsthand the unique thrill of Elitewheels’ race-proven performance.
The first 10 attendees, along with new and existing customers, will receive an Elitewheels jersey.
Existing customer registration (order number + photo of rider with Elitewheels wheelset required): Limited slots, first come first served.
👉 https://www.staging8.elite-wheels.com/mount-fuji-survey-existing-customers/
New customer registration: Limited slots, first come first served.
👉 https://www.staging8.elite-wheels.com/mount-fuji-survey-new-customers/
Meet at Mt. Fuji: Witness the Moment of Elitewheels Racing Performance
Date: June 6–7, 2026
Location: Fuji Hokuroku Park (Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture)
Elitewheels cordially invites global distributors, media partners, and cycling enthusiasts to join us at the event – together witnessing the true performance of Elitewheels wheelsets on one of the world’s most challenging climbing courses.
Business and Media Contact:
makoto@elite-wheels.com (Business inquiries)
Brand@elite-wheels.com (Media contact)
Website: www.elite-wheels.com
The slopes of Mt. Fuji are the touchstone of wheelset quality.
Elitewheels is ready – proven on the ascent.
（About Elitewheels）
Founded in 2015, Elitewheels is a leading Chinese manufacturer of competition-grade carbon fiber wheelsets. The brand specializes in the independent R&D and vertically integrated production of high-performance carbon wheels, covering road, gravel, mountain, and time trial disciplines. Elitewheels is the official wheelset partner of UCI ProTeam Solution Tech – NIPPO – Rali and the only Chinese carbon wheelset brand partnered with GCN, the world’s largest cycling media platform. Currently, Elitewheels products are sold in over 80 countries and serve more than 150,000 cyclists.
Media Contact:
Email: Brand@elite-wheels.com
Website: www.elite-wheels.com
