Felipe Orts chooses Ridley again for a new chapter: “The X-Night RS is the best cyclocross bike”
Eight-time Spanish cyclocross champion Felipe Orts is starting a new chapter with La Vila Joiosa – Euskadi Fundazioa. For his cyclocross programme, he is once again choosing Ridley and the X-Night RS for the next two seasons, the bike on which he has already achieved some impressive results. “My fans will definitely recognise me in my orange kit and on this beautiful bike with its STRATA design,” Orts says with a smile.
Felipe Orts is taking a new direction in his career. From October 2026, the eight-time Spanish champion will race for La Vila Joiosa – Euskadi Fundazioa, combining his cyclocross programme with a road programme at Euskaltel-Euskadi. For his winter campaign, he is once again choosing familiar equipment: the Ridley X-Night RS. During a press event at the Cycling Experience Center in Beringen, Belgium, Orts explained his renewed partnership with Ridley for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 cyclocross seasons. After two seasons with the Ridley Racing Team, rider and brand are joining forces once again.
His choice is no coincidence. He knows the bike, knows what to expect from it and has built a strong relationship with Ridley over the years. “I was already riding Belgian bikes as a junior, and I won silver at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships for under-23 riders in Bieles on a Ridley. The past two seasons with Ridley have helped me take another step forward in my career. Ridley has a strong cyclocross heritage and makes the best cyclocross bikes, so continuing with the brand in this discipline was a logical choice for me,” he explains. The partnership has also delivered some great sporting results: Orts won the World Cup rounds in Rucphen and Woerden, claimed silver at the 2025 UCI Cyclocross European Championships in his home country and finished seventh at the 2026 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst.
Felipe Orts is taking a new direction in his career. From October 2026, the eight-time Spanish champion will race for La Vila Joiosa – Euskadi Fundazioa, combining his cyclocross programme with a road programme at Euskaltel-Euskadi. For his winter campaign, he is once again choosing familiar equipment: the Ridley X-Night RS. During a press event at the Cycling Experience Center in Beringen, Belgium, Orts explained his renewed partnership with Ridley for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 cyclocross seasons. After two seasons with the Ridley Racing Team, rider and brand are joining forces once again.
His choice is no coincidence. He knows the bike, knows what to expect from it and has built a strong relationship with Ridley over the years. “I was already riding Belgian bikes as a junior, and I won silver at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships for under-23 riders in Bieles on a Ridley. The past two seasons with Ridley have helped me take another step forward in my career. Ridley has a strong cyclocross heritage and makes the best cyclocross bikes, so continuing with the brand in this discipline was a logical choice for me,” he explains. The partnership has also delivered some great sporting results: Orts won the World Cup rounds in Rucphen and Woerden, claimed silver at the 2025 UCI Cyclocross European Championships in his home country and finished seventh at the 2026 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst.
A long history in cyclocross
Jochim Aerts, founder and CEO of Belgian Cycling Factory, is delighted that the Spanish champion has chosen Ridley again: “Ridley and cyclocross have a long history together. Since the beginning of this century, riders on Ridley bikes have won more than 20 titles, and the brand remains closely connected to the sport. We continue to support Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw, and Felipe has also become an important part of our cyclocross story. I remember watching him win silver at the European Championships in his home country. I'm pleased that he has chosen Ridley again for the coming seasons, and we'll make sure he has the equipment he needs to compete at the highest level.”
At La Vila Joiosa – Euskadi Fundazioa, Orts will have the opportunity to combine his cyclocross programme with road racing. From October to February, the focus will be on cyclocross. Between March and September, he will also have opportunities to race on the road with the professional Euskaltel-Euskadi team. This combination brings a fresh dynamic, but his cyclocross ambitions remain high. The UCI Cyclocross World Cup and the World Championships are among his main targets. In January 2027, he will also aim to claim his ninth consecutive Spanish national title, having secured his eighth in early 2026.
The partnership also has its own visual identity. Orts will race on a bike featuring a white and orange STRATA design, combining the colours of his new team with the yellow and red of his Spanish champion's jersey. “I'm really happy that we can continue the relationship we built during my time with the Ridley Racing Team. My bike will feature a white and orange STRATA design that fits well with my team's colours and my Spanish champion's jersey,” he says.
Orts will kick off his cyclocross season on Thursday at the Kermiscross in Ardooie, Belgium.
At La Vila Joiosa – Euskadi Fundazioa, Orts will have the opportunity to combine his cyclocross programme with road racing. From October to February, the focus will be on cyclocross. Between March and September, he will also have opportunities to race on the road with the professional Euskaltel-Euskadi team. This combination brings a fresh dynamic, but his cyclocross ambitions remain high. The UCI Cyclocross World Cup and the World Championships are among his main targets. In January 2027, he will also aim to claim his ninth consecutive Spanish national title, having secured his eighth in early 2026.
The partnership also has its own visual identity. Orts will race on a bike featuring a white and orange STRATA design, combining the colours of his new team with the yellow and red of his Spanish champion's jersey. “I'm really happy that we can continue the relationship we built during my time with the Ridley Racing Team. My bike will feature a white and orange STRATA design that fits well with my team's colours and my Spanish champion's jersey,” he says.
Orts will kick off his cyclocross season on Thursday at the Kermiscross in Ardooie, Belgium.
X-Night RS
A crown jewel for championsThe X-Night RS is the fifth generation of our cyclocross bike on which dozens of titles have already been won. We developed this X-Night RS tailored to the cyclocross rider, with a special cyclocross geometry and numerous aerodynamic improvements. The Ridley Racing Team will use this crown jewel from autumn 2024.
Read moreRidley and cyclocross: a winning combination for over 20 years
Ridley and cyclocross have been writing a success story for decades. Since the beginning of this century, riders on Ridley bikes have won more than 20 titles, and the list continues to grow every year. This has established us as a benchmark brand in cyclocross. Join us as we look back at our glorious history in the sport.
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