Q&A: Why Basso's CEO is still an optimist

Suvi Loponen, Basso Bikes

The mood around the cycling industry at the start of 2026 depends on who you ask. Some brands are cautiously optimistic. Others are quietly cutting headcount. Canyon announced major restructuring in January. Specialized, Trek and QBP all started off the year with staff restructurings. The inventory overhang from the COVID-19 boom is still working its way through the market, visible in widespread discounting, and some say the same mistakes that scattered the industry in Europe and the United States in 2023 and 2024 are now being repeated in China.

One of the people saying this is Alessandro Basso, the CEO of Stardue, the parent company of Basso Bikes and Lee Cougan mountain bikes. Despite the gloomy industry backdrop, the 35-year-old CEO, is, by contrast, in a good and optimistic mood.

Behind the Curtain: Basso BikesIt’s named after a family, still run by that family, and is ever-growing.Escape CollectiveSuvi Loponen

As the head of the Italian brand his father founded nearly 50 years ago, he runs a company of around 70 people with two international headquarters, no external investors, and, as he explains, the freedom to make decisions for the long term rather than the next quarter.

We caught up with him at the recent Velofollies show to talk about the state of the industry, why he thinks 2026 will be a good year for Basso despite everything, and what he actually thinks caused the mess the industry seems to be in.

This interview has been lightly edited for flow and clarity.

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