Milan, June 11, 2025 - The Milanese skipper, an undisputed reference in Class40, is about to make a leap in quality by entering the restricted circle of navigators engaged in the IMOCA class, thanks to the collaboration with the main sponsor Mapei. Next summer, Beccaria will be at the helm of the IMOCA "Allagrande Mapei", a 60-foot monohull equipped with foils, ready for an adventure as demanding as it is prestigious: the Ocean Race Europe. Six legs, four seas, an ocean, and a host of experienced competitors for an accelerated immersion into the world of crewed ocean racing.
In addition to the TR Racing team, which already brings its experience to the project, Ambrogio will be accompanied by a crew whose experience, cohesion, and in-depth knowledge of the boat will be an excellent learning opportunity. Alongside him, Thomas Ruyant, Morgan Lagravière, Manon Peyre, and onboard reporter Pierre Bouras will share a collective endeavor where human chemistry matters as much as technical performance.
The "Allagrande Mapei" crew ready to challenge the sailing elite at the Ocean Race Europe
It's a big "first time" for skipper Ambrogio Beccaria, who will officially take command of "Allagrande Mapei" starting mid-July, after the boat's presentation to the press in Lorient, Brittany. And the challenge promises to be demanding: starting on August 10, Beccaria will be on the starting line of one of the most complex races in the IMOCA circuit, the Ocean Race Europe. A five-leg course, across four seas and an ocean, from Kiel, Germany to Boka Bay, Montenegro.
After the start in the Baltic Sea, heading towards the North Sea, there will be a strategic descent through the English Channel to the first stop, Portsmouth, Great Britain. The monohulls will then head south, skirting the Atlantic for a brief fly-by in Porto, Portugal, before entering the Mediterranean for a spectacular finish: Cartagena, Nice, Genoa, and finally Montenegro, in the heart of the Adriatic Sea.
If the route is complex, the competition also promises to be fierce. Competing against the Allagrande Mapei Racing team are established projects, led by skippers with impressive track records, true references in the IMOCA class. Alongside them are top-level crews, experts in round-the-world races and transatlantic crossings, competitors who know well the various sailing conditions offered by this European route. Opponents who, for the most part, know their boat in every detail.
For a first IMOCA engagement in such a strategic format, the challenge is audacious: quickly get to grips with "Allagrande Mapei", learn as much as possible from the crew and the competition, sail in different conditions and seas to quickly become competitive.
Playing the continuity card
After participating in the Course des Caps on June 29 with the colors of "Vulnérable", the IMOCA "Allagrande Mapei" debuts with a new livery in Mapei colors and an almost unchanged crew. «At the moment I already have a lot to do to get familiar with the boat… I try to focus mainly on this for the coming season», Ambrogio Beccaria confides. Lucidly, he adds: «Starting a project by changing everything would be counterproductive. I have full confidence in Thomas's choices for the first race of the season. The idea is therefore to capitalize on this team and then enrich it with new international talents».
Thus Thomas Ruyant, co-skipper for the rest of the 2025 season, an experienced navigator and former skipper of the boat, returns on board. A key figure in the project, he knows the IMOCA in every detail. Winner, among others, of the Route du Rhum 2022 and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023 in the IMOCA class, he has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to excel in major ocean races. His presence on board guarantees the crew a rare experience, capable of covering all roles if necessary.
Alongside Ruyant, Morgan Lagravière, his regular training partner, will once again be in charge of performance. A talented racer, who passed through the Olympic 49er classes and the Vendée Globe, he excels in optimizing adjustments. His sharp eye and technical rigor will be invaluable assets throughout the European route.
Manon Peyre finally represents the new generation. Coming from dinghy sailing and the 49er, Peyre is only in her second major ocean test. Appreciated for her touch at the helm and her adaptability, she brings freshness, commitment, and precision to maneuvers.
Pierre Bouras, On Board Reporter (OBR), as comfortable on deck as behind the lens, is tasked with documenting this sporting and human adventure. His unique perspective, combined with a good knowledge of life at sea, promises a strong and authentic visual narrative.
But the Ocean Race Europe course, combined with the duration of the test, requires careful effort management, hence the need for the "Allagrande Mapei" crew to rotate.
The crew's words
Ambrogio Beccaria: «This is my first race as skipper with such a large team, both on board and on land: a true debut in this role. It's a test to see if I'm really up to it. On board with me is a co-skipper whom I have always considered a benchmark in navigation: Thomas. We share a similar approach to performance; we both know that to go fast, you must, first of all, be good at sea and be good sailors. The choice to sail together was natural, also because we will be on what was his boat. I know Morgan from racing against him in Class40 and Figaro. We had never sailed together, but every time I noticed how fast the boats he was on were. He is an instinctive sailor, born on the water: it's not easy to learn from him because he does everything naturally. Finally, Manon: we have only had a few outings, but her grit is evident. Like Morgan, she comes from the Olympic classes and has great talent at the helm. Now it's about transferring the skills from her world to ours, and I am convinced that tackling the Course des Caps together will be an excellent test run for the Ocean Race Europe, our true objective».
Thomas Ruyant: «It is true that I am more used to sailing solo or double-handed on this boat, but thanks to the work of the TR Racing experts and the quality of the preparation, they have managed to evolve it so that it can now accommodate a crew of five. It will be a discovery ground for all of us, in reality, because my only experience on the IMOCA with a crew remains that of the first edition of the Ocean Race Europe in 2021. The beginning of the season will be essential to get to know each other, understand everyone's personality, and gradually create a real dynamic on board. All of this will be built progressively, between training and the Course des Caps. With Morgan, we have already shown Ambrogio and Manon some of the boat's routines in the first outings. The idea is for them to quickly get familiar with it and then delve into the details. The organization on board will take its natural course; I really want to deepen everything related to pure navigation and strategy. It's an area I really enjoy and want to explore even more with a crew».
Morgan Lagravière: «I'm super happy to join the "Allagrande Mapei" crew for the Ocean Race Europe. We all come from different backgrounds, with varied experiences, but we are all heading in the same direction: collective performance. On board, the chemistry clicked immediately. From the very first training sessions, everyone found their place, and the atmosphere is fantastic. This crewed tour of Europe reminds me of my years at the Tour de France à la Voile. The same competitive spirit, the same desire to share intense moments at sea, only here the legs are longer, the boats more demanding, and the challenges tougher. But deep down, it's always the same story: building a solid team, where technical skills count as much as human qualities. I feel that we will experience a beautiful adventure, with commitment, fun, and a true team spirit. I can't wait!».
Manon Peyre: «Participating in the Ocean Race Europe is an incredible opportunity, and honestly, I didn't expect it. For a long time I thought – perhaps wrongly – that the gap was too wide between dinghy sailing and IMOCA to even think about finding my place one day. So, when I was offered to helm "Allagrande Mapei", I was initially a bit stunned... and very curious. What surprised me most was seeing how this boat, despite its power, can react like a dinghy. I still have a lot to learn between now and the start in Germany, of course, but I feel surrounded by a super solid, attentive team, and that makes me want to make progress. I hope to be able to make my small contribution, particularly in some areas that I know well from having raced a lot in 49er, such as the Kiel area or some areas of the Mediterranean. It's motivating to think that I can contribute, in my own way, on this type of detail».
A tailor-made technical partnership for performance
To accompany this new IMOCA adventure, the Allagrande Mapei Racing team will be able to count on an excellent partner: Musto, a leading technical supplier, officially joins the project as a technical partner. «We are thrilled to collaborate with Ambrogio again. He has been and remains a formidable international ambassador for our brand. He and his team will once again push the limits of our products and provide us with valuable feedback to develop better clothing,» says Nick Houchin, Musto's marketing director. Indeed, Ambrogio Beccaria knows the brand well as he has been sailing with Musto for several seasons in Class40. «It's a real guarantee of trust to be able to continue with Musto for this new chapter,» he comments. «Their equipment has always allowed me to face the toughest conditions at sea, and it's a real comfort to know that the entire team will now be equipped with this level of requirement». Comfort, technicality, and reliability: all strengths that will accompany every mile covered by Allagrande Mapei Racing on The Ocean Race Europe and in the years to come.
Personalized assistance through the Mapei Sport Research Center
The Mapei Sport Research Center supports Ambrogio in his athletic preparation through unprecedented physiological and biomechanical monitoring for scientific research. The goal: to better understand the effects of ocean crossings on the body and promote research in this field.
A main sponsor in the spirit of continuity
Mapei will support Ambrogio and his crew as the main sponsor of the project in this IMOCA debut. A partnership in the spirit of continuity, after the exciting experience in Class40.
