July 26, 2026
Can ABS really make one of the fastest enduro mountain bikers in the world even faster? We had the opportunity to visit a Bosch eBike Systems test camp in Pietra Ligure, Italy, and were granted behind-the-scenes access to follow Alex Rudeau during one of their test camps.
During these events, Bosch brings together athletes, engineers and product managers to test current and future products. The data and feedback feeds into the development and refinement of its products for both racers and general consumers. We were excited to see what goes down behind the curtain, and to learn about how these products are being developed to perform at the highest level.
In Pietra, I had the privilege of following Enduro and eMTB racer Alex Rudeau along for the day, getting a glimpse of his testing time on-trail and his discussions with the Bosch engineering team. And let me tell you, no video can do justice to just how skilled Alex is! It’s mind blowing watching him effortlessly glide his Bosch CX-powered Commencal eMTB up some chunky, loose Ligurian climbs, and push the limits of traction on the descents.
The focus for Alex’s time in Italy was to refine the software of the Bosch eBike ABS Pro system, creating a custom tune to suit his preferences and needs as one of the fastest riders in the world. It was incredible to witness the performance of the ABS system combined with Alex’s commitment and talent, as he tried to slow down on the marbles and dust from crazy high speeds.
While the jury is still out for many on the ABS Pro system, quotes from Alex such as “at some point I was like “wow, I’m struggling without the ABS” made it clear that the system has incredible potential, for everyday riders and superhuman racers alike.
With test camps like this occurring frequently and Bosch’s test and engineering team working relentlessly to develop the performance of their systems further, it’s only a matter of time before the technology takes off and becomes a must-have for many. I have a Bosch ABS Pro-equipped eBike in for test at the moment, so stay tuned to see what the long-term verdict is for your everyday rider.
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