Francesca Selva: Living Life in the Fast Lane

Few riders embody the thrill of speed quite like Francesca Selva; Franci to her fans. The Italian cyclist has carved out a reputation as a fearless competitor, thriving in the high-octane world of criteriums and madisons. For Franci, racing is about adrenaline, precision, and the art of pushing limits. Endurance epics like the Transcontinental or stage races don’t appeal; instead, she finds joy in the sharp corners of a crit and the tactical chaos of the velodrome.

Her passion extends beyond the track. Through her YouTube channel, Ride with Franci, she invites viewers into her world of “crazy fast bikes.” A recent highlight featured the London 3 Day track event, where onboard footage captured the dizzying exchanges of the madison. Riders rotate seamlessly between effort and recovery, all while keeping rivals in sight; a spectacle as confusing as it is exhilarating. Franci’s lens brings fans closer to the action than ever before.

Operating as a self-employed professional, Franci’s journey is as demanding off the bike as it is on it. Without the support of a traditional team infrastructure, she manages logistics, sponsorships, and promotion herself. Yet she excels at building her profile, appearing regularly on Italian cycling programs and contributing to GCN’s Italian channel. Her recent episodes demystify the complexities of track racing, offering fans a rare insider’s perspective.

Handsling has been proud to support Franci for several years. Her resilience shone particularly bright this season, as she returned to racing after a health setback that kept her sidelined for much of the year. Seeing her back on the bike - competing, creating, and inspiring - is a testament to her determination. Fans can follow her journey online or catch her live at upcoming European Six-Day events.

At the heart of Franci’s success is her equipment. On the road, she relies on the Handsling A1R0evo, a frame designed in-house and crafted from Toray T800 carbon fibre. With its race-proven balance of speed, comfort, and responsiveness, the A1R0evo is built for the demands of criterium racing and the rigors of global travel. Franci has trusted it through forty criterium races in the United States, where its aero profiles and stable handling proved invaluable.

On the track, she turns to the Handsling TR3evo, also engineered from Toray T800 carbon fibre and UCI-approved. Over-engineered for stiffness and stability, the TR3evo is purpose-built for the explosive power of track racing. Whether in the madison or other high-intensity events, it delivers the precision Franci needs to perform at the highest level.

Franci’s story is one of independence, resilience, and passion; qualities that mirror Handsling’s own commitment to innovation and performance. Together, rider and brand continue to push boundaries, proving that speed and style go hand in hand.