Returning to his beloved Italian stomping grounds, Hans Rey once again plunges into the sun-kissed Umbrian mountains. With his EP8-equipped mountain bike, he careens onward and upward—will this trials legend still find La Dolce Vita?

In the late ’90s, trials icon Hans Rey spent much of his year traversing the globe, starring in commercials, meeting U.S. presidents, and competing at the highest levels. However, he now feels the weight of two decades spent riding trials, coupled with the toll of crashes and injuries, weighing heavily on both his body and mind. His thoughts turn to the big question: What’s next? Where should he go? Is it time to settle down?

Throughout his travels, one destination consistently called to him: Italy’s Umbria. He returned to this enchanting region whenever he could steal some time away from his hectic life. This landlocked area in central Italy is renowned for its olive groves, vineyards, and medieval hill towns, all bathed in the golden light of long, sunny days—a scene straight out of the classic book Under the Tuscan Sun.

Hans yearned for a slice of this idyllic lifestyle for his retirement from mountain biking. He began his search for the perfect villa—one with land, a vineyard, an olive grove, and room for biking guests. Luck smiled upon him when he discovered Podere il Falco, which would become his Italian sanctuary. This also marked the beginning of a new business venture that would allow him to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle.

When Hans first arrived in Umbria, mountain biking was virtually nonexistent in the region. Little did he know how much the landscape would evolve over the following decades, with the advent of new riding styles, cutting-edge technology, and the game-changing rise of e-bikes.

To witness firsthand how far technology had transformed the mountain biking scene, Hans decided to revisit his old haunts and experience his favorite trails 20 years later. He was eager to see how his EP8-equipped GT Force AMP+ would handle the Umbrian terrain.

Ultimately, Hans only enjoyed La Dolce Vita for a few years, as he felt he had much more to accomplish and explore in the mountain biking world. He relished those years thoroughly and harbors no regrets about once again changing direction in his life. It was a fun chapter, but one he was ready to close!

Hans Rey’s legendary trials career has spanned two decades, taking him on countless adventures across the globe, all of which he has documented over the years with his wife and photographer, Carmen.