A fun stage awaits with a series of sharp climbs in the finish. This is what a Giro stage should look like, exploiting the land, scenery and architecture.Stage 7 Review: the stage win for Jonas Vingegaard and in the predicted manner: attacking with 5km to go to shake everyone off his wheel, the difficulty of the slope made worse by a stiff wind that was at times seeing riders climb in echelon formation.If it went to plan the script still had some twists.The first surprise was Giulio Pellizzari who was able to match the Dane. Vingegaard was flustered, turning back several times to find the Italian still on his wheel. The second surprise was that Pellizzari cracked after a kilometre, perhaps no shock but he must have known he was in the red or even deep into a crimson moment and almost stalled on the slope. The third surprise was Felix Gall who darted past Pellizzari and finished second at only 13 seconds behind Vingegaard when the Dane would have been expected to take more time.Only ten riders were within two minutes of Vingegaard. Further down, Damiano Caruso and Egan Bernal lost almost three minutes, Jan Christen over four minutes and Enric Mas close to six minutes.It leaves Vingegaard in the perfect place. Afonso Eulalio stays in pink with three minutes and we saw the Bahrain team work yesterday when they did not have to; this implies they will continue to do so which eases the load on Visma. Plus if Gall was surprisingly close, hes a fragile rider at risk of trouble on descents, in crosswinds, and if not theres the 40km time trial next week where he will certainly lose time. Even better for Vingegaard was not only did he crack Pellizzari, Jai Hindley sprinted away from Pellizzari in the finishing straight rather than tow him to the line. Everything is going to plan for Vingegaard.The Route: a ride out of Chieti and then a spin up the coast to the intermediate sprint. After this the race heads into the hills.the Montefiore climb is 10km at 3.6% but the first half is full of 5-6% and theres a small descent midway you dont see on the profileMonterubbiano is 6km at 5.1% but with plenty of 6-8% ramps, like many roads in the Marche region theres little engineering, instead the road takes the contour of the terrainthe climb to Fermo is 3km at 5% with plenty of 8%the sharp ramp to the Red Bull pointThe climb back from the sea to CapodarcoThe Finish: the profile above says plenty but this is a run past the city walls and then a ride into the old town complete with cobbles and flagstones in town. Having lamented the other day that too many Giro stages finish out of town and dont show off the host towns today does it right.The Contenders: a good day for the breakaway.Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarch) is out of the GC race and good on a course like this. Likewise Jan Christen (UAE) who can focus on stages now, with Jhonatan Narvaez and obvious pick too. Local rider Gianmarco Garofoli (Soudal-Quickstep) is suited but a win would be a surprise.Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) might be the best suited to the course and the finish but hes eighth overall, he wont get much room to go in the breakaway with the likes of Netcompany-Ineos, Tudor and Jayco needing to contain him. Christian Scaroni (XDS-Astana) is 11th overall and has more room.Narvaez, Christen, ScaroniCiccone, Sheffield, Van EetveltWeather: sunshine on the coast but rain coming in later with a top temperature of 18C in the hills.TV: KM0 is at 1.35pm and the finish is forecast for 5.15pm CEST. Tune in 3.30pm for the start of the hills.Postcard from FermoWhat have Jai Hindley, Filippo Zana and Einer Rubio got in common? Theyre all riding the Giro today but if you want a hint: today theyll return to Capodarco.The answer is theyre all winners of the GP Capodarco, a one day Under-23 race held every August. The format is simple, a flat loop to the Lido di Fermo, the seaside, before switching to laps around the town of Capodarco including a climb thats 3.5km long at 6%. On the final lap the race heads for the historic old town and finishes with a wall climb thats got a long section at 18%. Throw 150 riders into this and the strongest emerge; its not the Tour de lAvenir but is selective.Much is made of Italys chronic lack of a World Tour team, and now the looming concern is the next level down is shrivelling too. We have Polti-Malta and Bardiani in the Giro but as things stand on the UCI rankings Bardiani arent going to be eligible for the Giro next year; although Solution Tech is. One in, one out? Yes but Bardiani have brought on young riders like Pellizzari and Pinarello while Solution Tech is more mercenary, hiring riders to score points and probably less sustainable.Where Italian cycling still thrives is the Under-23 scene. The majority of U23 one-day international races are in Italy, plus two of the five stage races with the Giro Next Gen and the Giro della Valle dAosta as well. Italy has 13 Continental teams, second only to China.Its not all rosy but it is holding up. The Italian amateur scene has been so prolific that both the Australian and British cycling federations have created bases to offer their riders a program of racing that they cant get domestically. One reason for the rise of Slovenian cycling has been the ease of crossing the border to race in Italy and find a calendar of events to suit. The most recent winner of the GP Capodarco? Slovenias Jakob Omrzel, now aged 20 and riding for Bahrain.The post Giro dItalia Stage 8 Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Jonas Vingegaard took the win on Stage 7 of the Giro d'Italia, but the Danish star needed his teammates to set things up on the tough Blockhaus climb. Davide Piganzoli really stood out by doing a lot of the hard work at the front, riding uphill right into the wind. The 23-year-old Italian has been s...

Afonso Eulalio did his pink jersey proud on stage 7 of the Giro d'Italia, as the Portuguese rider pushed himself to the limit on the tough Blockhaus climb to keep his overall lead. Even though he got dropped by the top favorites near the end, he managed his effort well and will wear pink for another...

Derek Gee found some solid takeaways from the first big mountain finish at the Giro d'Italia. Even though he lost time to Jonas Vingegaard on a very windy stage 7 up the Blockhaus climb, the Canadian rider is feeling good about his form. After falling behind the top group, he managed to pace himself...

Tomorrow is Election Day, and we want to encourage everyone to make a plan to vote. Polls are open Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thank you as well to everyone who already voted early: we appreciate you showing up and staying engaged in local issues that shape our streets, neighborhoods, and daily lives.Below, were sharing a helpful voter guide from the Committee for a Better New Orleans to help you prepare before heading to the polls.A few Bike Easy updates before you dive in:Our Policy & Design Committee Advisory Group met for the second month in a row, continuing conversations around infrastructure, safety, and accountability across New Orleans. One immediate success: after raising concerns about the broken light at the Lafitte Greenway and Claiborne, we learned the light was repaired on Tuesday. We appreciate the quick response and challenge the City to bring that same urgency to fixing the remaining broken lights along the Greenway. Proper lighting is critical for safety on one of the citys most-used active transportation corridors. To learn more about our Committee click hereWeve also been actively working with the Sewerage & Water Board regarding the sudden closure at Washington Avenue and Norman C. Francis Parkway. The current traffic advisory was distributed after the road closure had already begun and primarily focused on vehicular traffic detours, without meaningful guidance for people biking or walking through the corridor: even though there is an existing bike lane there. We are working with SWBNO and partners to push for an acceptable and safe detour plan. Stay tuned for updates.Lastly, if you renewed your membership during GiveNOLA Day, thank you! Weve finally finished entering all membership information into our database. If youd like to check whether your membership is current, you can do so here.And one more reminder: please make sure to vote tomorrow. Local elections matter, and your voice matters too.Click here for CBNOs voting guideHave a lovely weekend.In Service,Allene La SpinaExecutive Director

Last summer at Crankworx Whistler, Leatt was showing off a new line of cycling eyewear, including the RideViz Pro sunglasses. I got my hands on a pair for testing, which featured an optional photochromic lens. With a full-frame design and a large-coverage lens, these shades are made for mountain biking, but can easily work for any genre of cycling. I rode with the Leatt RideViz Pro sunglasses from mid-summer to early winter, then again this spring. Between the fantastic performance from the photochromic lens, their excellent resistance to condensation, and their comfortable and secure fit, Ive found the RideViz Pro to be a top-notch pair of sunglasses that perform well in any conditions. I was particularly happy to find the lens lived up to its claims, offering a wide visible light transmission (VLT) range with reasonably fast transitions.RideViz Pro Sunglasses Construction FeaturesThe RideViz Pro frames are built with a Biopolymer material with soft anti-slip rubber temple inserts and adjustable nose pieces. The frame of these lightweight sunglasses is essentially built around their lens. The upper frame, lower frame, and arms are all separate pieces that clip onto the lens.The RideViz Pro features a cylindrical lens, which is designed to minimize visual distortion. Cylindrical lenses are flatter (vs. the dual-curved Toric lenses found on other Leatt sunglasses), so they dont sit quite as close to your face and allow for plenty of airflow.The RideViz Pros lenses are 60mm tall. They offer an expansive vertical field of view, which is meant to work well for aggressive riding positions, with a pronounced wraparound shape that helps ensure good peripheral visibility.Two sizes of the RideViz Pro sunglasses are available. Small frames, intended for small or medium faces, measure 135mm wide with a 20mm bridge width and 130mm temple length. For medium and large faces, the large RideViz Pro frames and lenses are 145mm wide, with the same bridge width and temple length as the small size.The two sizes even get unique lenses with different curvatures. The large size uses a Base 6 lens, while the small has a Base 7 curvature.The small RideViz Pro sunglasses weighed in at 34g on my scale. Interestingly, Jeremy has a pair in size large, and they weigh 34 grams, too.LensesAll available lenses for the RideViz Pro sunglasses are interchangeable, polycarbonate lenses. Following Leatts ethos of keeping riders as safe as possible, the lenses are impact-tested to ANSI Z87.1 standards. There are four lens options offered with the RideViz Pros:Iriz lenses feature a mirror coating to reduce glare and protect your eyes from bright light.Cryztal lenses enhance contrast to sharpen details and separate colors.Cryztal Iriz lenses offer both contrast enhancement and an anti-glare mirrored coating.Photochromic lenses automatically tint according to light conditions. Leatts lens offers an impressive range of 25% to 90% VLT (90% achieves nearly clear status Leatts clear lens is listed at 91% VLT).These photochromic lenses also respond very quickly to changing light conditions.All RideViz Pro sunglasses come with your choice of lens and a spare Cryztal Rose lens (except the photochromic models). Leatt says their timeline for availability of spare lenses is TBD, so buyers will have to choose from the stock frame/lens combos for now.The RideViz Pro sunglasses come in seven frame color options: Clear, Black, Grey, White, Neon Yellow, White/Black, and Satin Black. Prices range from $153 to $186, depending on lens choice, and each pair comes with a soft bag. Ride Impressions Fit and Helmet CompatibilityI have a smaller head, so I am wearing the small RideViz Pro sunglasses. The width of the small is perfect for me; the arms are snug but comfortable, and the frames arent excessively wide, which can be a problem with many of todays large coverage riding shades. The RideViz Pros field of view is very good all around. The tall lenses do offer excellent top and bottom visibility, and the glasses wraparound shape puts the sides of the frames almost completely out of view. Even pushed right up my nose, the RideViz Pros frames dont sit too close to my cheeks or forehead, leaving room for airflow all around.The RideViz Pros fit with some of my open-faced MTB helmets, but not all. I have a shallow head, and while the top of the frame is only slightly curved on these glasses, it sits high enough on my forehead to interfere with my deeper-fitting helmets.My Oakley DRT5, Abus MoDrop, and new POC Cularis Pure helmets all fit fine with these sunglasses. My POC Tectal and Kortal lids were both too deep at the forehead, and my Endura MT500 fits too narrow at the sides for the sunglasses arms. Helmet interference will vary from person to person and helmet to helmet. Jeremy says he has worn these sunglasses with all of his half-shell helmets (six different models) without issue.Photochromic LensThe RideViz Pros I have been testing came with Leatts photochromic lens, which I would be my recommendation. The lens meets Leatts claims of offering a vast transmission range and transitioning quickly from clear to fully tinted and back again.When theres no sunlight, the photochromic lens stays totally clear. Riding these sunglasses in rainy, dim conditions, theres no noticeable difference between the photochromic lens and any other clear lens. It doesnt take much light to activate the tint, though. As conditions get brighter, they automatically get darker in response.Even in full sunshine, I found the darkest tint of the photochromic lens to be adequate. With the photochromic lens, Id say the RideViz Pro sunglasses could work for any ride, regardless of light or weather conditions. These glasses were always the appropriate tint, and while the lens does transition relatively quickly for photochromic, 20-30 seconds, its not noticeable or distracting.I noticed a hint of visual distortion when looking through the very top and bottom sections of the cylindrical lens. Thankfully, this was never a problem while riding, as the fairly flat mid-section of the lens (where youre mostly looking) does not produce any obvious effect. CondensationIn addition to the lenss photochromic performance, I was very happy with the RideViz Pros ability to resist condensation. During many rides in damp fall conditions, plus warmer rides in the spring, the RideViz Pros have reliably kept their lenses clear.I wore these glasses throughout many climbs, and the only fogging I ever experienced was a bit at the top of the lens but only when I stopped moving. Even on a rainy climb that left me soaked with sweat, the lenses stayed perfectly clear until I took a break. As soon as I started moving (even at climbing speeds), the lenses cleared up within seconds, and they always stayed clear during descents. Comfort and ProtectionFrom the first ride, I never had any comfort-related issues with the RideViz Pro sunglasses. The rubber nose piece and padded arms always remained perfectly comfortable throughout my rides. Even better, these sunglasses stay put. I never managed to make them budge out of position on my face or slide down my nose at all, despite several wet and sweaty rides and countless rough descents.Finally, the tall, wraparound lenses do offer good eye protection. While some wind can be noticeable from the sides, the lenses block the breeze from the front very effectively. I never once found my eyes watering on descents, and in sloppy conditions, the RideViz Pros kept all the water and mud splatter safely away from my eyes. Needless to say, Im a big fan of the fit, stability, coverage, and lens performance of these shades. Check out Leatts website for all the details on the RideViz Pro sunglasses.leatt.comThe post Leatts RideViz Pro Sunglasses Offer Great Stability and Excellent Photochromic Lenses: Review appeared first on Bikerumor.

The first major mountain test of the Giro d'Italia delivered exactly what the race had been waiting for. After days of tension, positioning battles and cautious riding among the favourites, Jonas Vingegaard finally made his move on the slopes of Blockhaus, claiming both the stage victory and an earl...

Thats right, the REI Anniversary Sale is back from May 1525, with big savings on top outdoor gear, apparel, and adventure essentials. Whether youre updating your bike or gearing up for a summer bikepacking trip, this sale is the smart way to stock up on everything you need for your upcoming biking adventures.Because this massive sale includes thousands of items, heres a roundup of highlights, including some of our favorite gear and best deals to narrow the search. Or you can head to the REI Co-op website for the full list of discounts available during the sale.Shop the 2026 REI Co-op Anniversary SaleREI Co-op Member BenefitsFrom May 1525, REI Co-op members save 20% on one full-price item and an extra 20% on one REI Outlet item using coupon code ANNIV26 at checkout. Some exclusions apply.REI rewards its loyal customers with exclusive deals, early access to limited-edition items, and expert advice from its staff of passionate outdoor enthusiasts. Heres a look at the best perks that come with an REI Co-op membership:10% back annually on eligible purchases5% earned in card rewards on REI purchases with the REI Co-op MasterCard (see full terms and conditions)Free U.S. standard shipping with no minimum purchase requirementDiscounts on REI classes and events20% savings on bike and snow shop servicesUp to 33% savings on gear rentalsJoin REI Co-opREI Co-op DealsREI Co-op Link Large Handlebar Bag: $71REIs Link Large Handlebar Bag is a more than capable hauler. It has an 11.5 L volume that can fit big puffy items like a sleeping bag or smaller camping staples like fuel and a cook kit. The roll-top closure is water-resistant and compresses down to keep the contents snug. Two side pockets help organize items like a wallet or multitool.Shop NowTopeak Mini PT 30 Multi-Tool: $58One of our favorite bike multitools, the Topeak Mini PT 30 has 30 tools to tackle most repairs youd need on the road or trail. Its a compact toolset, weighing just 173 grams.The 30 tools: 2L/2.5/3/4/5/6/8 mm Allen wrenches, 10mm hex socket, T10/T15/T25 Torx wrenches, 14G/15G/Mavic M7/Shimano 4.5mm spoke wrenches, CrMo steel chain tool, chain hook, power link tool, super hard anodized tire lever, #2 Phillips/flathead screw drivers, serrated knife/saw, water bottle opener with spoke holder and engineering grade polymer disc spacer.Take 25% off all Topeak cycling tools, pumps, bags, and accessories.Shop NowRapha Core Lightweight Cycling Jersey Mens & Womens: $83Stay cool on your next ride with this warm-weather jersey. Rapha uses a mix of fabrics to create a breezy yet sun-protective garment. A mesh front panel and sleeves provide airflow while the slightly denser-knit back panel offers UPF 40 sun protection. It has a full-length zipper and three gusetted back pockets.Shop MensShop WomensThule Epos 2-Bike Hitch Rack: $1,040This is bike rack tops the charts for its storability, and its versatile enough to fit all types of bikes, including heavyweight e-bikes. It uses a telescopic bike attachment system with pivoting cradles for easy loading. The rack has a load capacity of 75 pounds per bike, wheelbases up to 53 inches, and tires as wide as 3.2 inches.On top of that, it folds down to a very compact size for storage.Save 20% on all Thule racks, roof boxes, and rack accessories during the sale.Shop NowWild Rye Freel Mountain Bike Shorts Womens: $119Whether youre racing the local crit or heading out for an enduro, the Wild Rye Freel mountain bike shorts are the right mix of stretch and durability. The shorts have a gusseted crotch and are made with a four-way stretch nylon that provides ample sun protection, sheds water, and resists scuffs and scrapes. There are two hand pockets and a thigh storage pocket sized to fit an iPhone Plus.Shop NowPNW Components Loam Dropper Post Gen 2 30.9mm & 31.6mm: $172Our budget pick for dropper posts, the PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2s value proposition is even better during the saleWe like the PNW Loam Dropper Gen 2 for its solid, consistent feel, and gladly recommend it to any riders looking to upgrade their post. Its already our favorite affordable dropper, and at 25% off, it is even more budget-friendly. Our reviewers praised its easy setup and the posts tool-free travel reduction. Shop 30.9mmShop 31.6mmTrek Verse Short Comp Saddle: $82One of the best value bike saddles is 25% off during this sale, making it an unbeatable deal. The Verse Comp saddle is a no-nonsense model with a modern shape and profile thats easy to get along with. The seat has a generous central cutout to avoid pressure (and help with airflow). Dimples on the rear section help riders stay planted in the right spot.As our review put it: The 140-gram difference between the Verse Comp and the $325 Trek RSL is approximately half a bottle of water and saves you $215. Oh, and the comfort of those two saddles is virtually identical.Shop NowGiro Aries Spherical: $262First, lets point out that the Giro Aries Spherical is among the top-performing helmets in Virginia Techs Helmet Testing. Thats striking when you see how low-profile and lightweight it is. Even with its MIPS Spherical dual-shell design, its impressively streamlined, and its ventilation is top-notch. In fact, our tester found the venting worked so well that they wondered if the helmet might be too cool for winter rides. Another nice feature is the brow pad, which diverts sweat from the forehead to prevent it from dripping into your sunglasses.We think its one of the best road bike helmets on the market.Shop NowSalsa Flyway C GRX 610 12 Bike: $3,149One of Salsas five new Flyway builds, the GRX 610 is a race-ready gravel bike youll want to ride all the time. The carbon frame has Salsas comfort-forward Class 5 VRS design and comes equipped with a Shimano GRX 610 1 x 12-speed drivetrain, Teravail Updraft 700c x 45 mm tires (frame fits tires up to 50mm and fork fits up to 57 mm), WTB Asym i25 wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes. It has a progressive gravel geometry with a long reach and short stem.Shop NowOneUp Components Composite Pedals: $37The simply named OneUp Composite Pedal is a great example of a well-executed and affordable product and a top choice for flat pedal riders on a budget. Budget constraints aside, these pedals are a great option for any rider, providing a balance of grip and mobility. The platform has 10 rear-loading pins on each side and comes in two sizes.These grippy platforms with rear-loading steel pins come in a fun variety of colors. OneUp Components uses a thin, top-notch design to provide good ground clearance and a convex profile under the arches of your feet for a predictable feel.Take 25% off all OneUp bike pedals, grips, and tools during the sale. That should include our favorite convex flat pedals, the OneUp Aluminum pedals.Shop NowSwift Industries Moxie Top Tube Bag: $49For everyday rides, this small top-tube bag will secure a phone, wallet, and keys, or keep your nutrition in reach during those long gravel grinds on your new Slasa Flyway. The Swift Industries Moxie is made from a mix of recycled polyester and ripstop nylon with minimal foam padding to protect your goodies. It also unzips easily with one hand. Strap to any frame, or bolt it onto bikes with mounts on the top tube; youve got options. The Moxie has a 0.6L capacity (8.5 x 4.25 x 2)Shop NowTrigger Point Performance Universal Massage Roller: $22For warm-up and recovery, this massage roller is specifically designed to help relieve joint and muscle tension all over. And the compact size makes it easy to take with you, even when traveling.Save 25% off all Trigger Point Performance accessories during the sale.Shop NowRevelate Designs Nano Panniers (Pair): $206The Revelate Designs Nano panniers are only 4 inches wide to keep your payload close, and they have an external compression system to keep your load compact. The panniers are made from 200-denier sailcloth and have foam framesheets for internal structure. If youve got overnight bikepacking or touring aspirations, Revelates bags are some of the best, and this is a deal you dont want to miss.Shop NowREI Co-op sponsored thispost.The post The 2026 REI Co-op Anniversary Sale Is Here appeared first on Bikerumor.

The 2026 Giro d'Italia will take place from the 8th to the 31st of May. It is the first Grand Tour of the season, and there are 21 stages that will take the riders through many of Italy's iconic cities, the mythical Alps, and many treacherous stages - each one can end the climber's chances of winnin...

Felix Gall has previously shown great climbing ability, and last year his consistency also led him to finish fifth at the Tour de France. For the first time since his breakthrough three years ago as a top climber, he was started the Giro d'Italia, and put in one of the best rides of his career to fi...