Jasper Philipsen won Stage 2 of the 2026 Renewi Tour in Ardooie and moved into the leader's jersey, but his new four-second lead will be tested immediately on the hardest stage of the race. The Alpecin-Premier Tech sprinter launched from the front in the closing metres and held off his rivals to cla...

A record 12 British riders will start the 2026 Vuelta a Espana when the final Grand Tour of the season begins in Monaco on Saturday, the largest British contingent ever assembled for the Spanish race. The previous Vuelta record was 11, reached in both 2022 and 2025. This year's total also equals the...

Primoz Roglic says simply reaching the start of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana can already count as a win after the training crash that disrupted his final preparation for a record fifth overall victory. The four-time champion is confirmed for Saturday's Grand Depart in Monaco after his participation was...

Like it or not, indoor training season isnt too far off for many in the northern hemisphere. In an effort to simplify setup and offer a more seamless immersive riding experience, Garmin recently announced that its Tacx NEO 2T smart trainer is available for purchase with Zwift Cog and Click. This makes the Tacx NEO 2T ready to ride in the virtual worlds of Zwift and ROUVY straight out of the box with no additional setup or calibration required.Tacx NEO 2T with Zwift Cog and ClickEasy to set up, easy to ride. (photo / Garmin)Like many other smart trainers on the market, the Tacx NEO 2T was already compatible with Zwift Cog and Click as an aftermarket add-on. Now, it joins a growing number of models that come with Zwift Cog pre-installed, simplifying setup and making it even easier to use. The Zwift Cog takes the place of a standard cassette and is compatible with 8- to 13-speed bikes and drivetrains. No removing/installing cassettes; just put your bike on, connect the trainer to your device, and go.Zwift Click works with Zwift Cog for silent virtual shifting, steering, game and menu navigation, and giving ride-ons to other riders. And, with Zwift Click, you can do it all from your handlebars you dont have to reach over to your computer or other device.The Zwift Clicks offer seamless virtual shifting and navigation from the handlebar. (photo / Zwift)The Tacx NEO 2T is a highly regarded smart trainer with a claimed power and cadence data accuracy within 1%. It uses 32 neodymium magnets to quietly provide resistance and a realistic ride feel with dynamic inertia. It is claimed to handle a maximum power of 2200 watts and also includes a Race Mode for fast, reliable data transmission during virtual races and rides.For the ultimate immersive training experience, the NEO 2T is compatible with the Tacx NEO Motion plates, which allow for multidirectional movement. Additionally, it works with the Tacx Alpine, which simulates gradients between +25% and -10%.Both of these accessories are sold separately.Training with the Tacx Alpine gradient simulator. (photo / Garmin)Pricing and AvailabilityThe Tacx NEO 2T with Zwift Cog and Click is available starting tomorrow, August 21, with a retail price of $1,099.99 the same price as the standard Tacx NEO 2T. According to Garmin, cyclists who purchase the Tacx NEO 2T with Zwift Cog and Click and are new Zwift subscribers are eligible for a free Zwift membership offer.garmin.com

Wout van Aert left the Belgian Gravel Championships without the title on Sunday, but Jan Bakelants came away from Grobbendonk with no concerns about the Belgian's condition heading into the Vuelta a Espana. Van Aert was beaten by close friend and regular training partner Daan Soete after the pair ro...

Ahead of this year's MADE bike show in Portland, we caught up with the event's director, Billy Sinkford, to talk about the shows evolution and next year's venue. We also got an early look at this year's show bike: a stunning custom BTCHN' Bikes 32er gravel bike. Find it all here...The post The Future of MADE and Billy Sinkfords BTCHN 32er appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Lara Gillespie (UAE Team LIMAD) finished fifth on stage 2 of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women in Blackpool on Thursday, in a sprint won again by Lorena Wiebes.Wiebes took the stage from Clitheroe in 3:29:26 from Maggie Coles-Lyster and Kim Le Court-Pienaar, with Nienke Veenhoven fourth ahead of Gillespie. It is a second win in two days for the Dutchwoman, who extends her overall lead to 14 seconds from Chiara Consonni.Le Court-Pienaar climbs three places to third overall on the same time as Consonni, with Karlijn Swinkels fourth and Josie Nelson fifth. Wiebes leads the points classification on 50, more than double Consonnis 23.Steffi Hberlin (Team SD Worx-Protime) takes the mountains lead on 16 points from Lauren Dickson, and Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek) holds the young rider jersey.Our RidersGillespies fifth place is her best of the race and moves her up to sixth in the points classification on 13 points, a jump of two places. She is 34th overall at 2:46. It follows her second place in the opening intermediate sprint at Allonby on Wednesday a consistently active first two days for the Wicklow rider.IRLIrish Riders Stage 2Thu 20 August 2026 Clitheroe Blackpool5Lara GILLESPIEUAE Team LIMAD 34th overall, +2:46 6th on pointss.t.Stage 2 ResultSTGStage 2 ResultThe Women S Tour 2026 10 riders1Lorena WIEBESTeam SD Worx Protime3:29:262Maggie COLES-LYSTERHuman Powered Healths.t.3Kim LE COURT-PIENAARAG Insurance Soudal Teams.t.4Nienke VEENHOVENTeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.5Lara GILLESPIEUAE Team LIMADs.t.6Clara COPPONICANYON//SRAMs.t.7Chiara CONSONNILidl Treks.t.8Teuntje BEEKHUISUno-X Mobilitys.t.9Ally WOLLASTONFDJ United SUEZs.t.10Juliana LONDOOTeam Picnic PostNLs.t.Classifications After Stage 2General Classification show all 106GCGeneral ClassificationThe Women S Tour 2026 106 riders1Lorena WiebesTeam SD Worx Protime7:32:152Chiara ConsonniCANYON//SRAM0:143 (3)Court-Pienaar Kim LeAG Insurance Soudal Team0:144 (1)Karlijn SwinkelsUAE Team LIMAD0:155 (1)Josie NelsonTeam Picnic PostNL0:166 (1)FleurLidl Trek MoorsTeam SD Worx Protime0:177 (4)MischaTeam SD Worx Protime BredewoldLidl Trek0:208 (8)Juliana LondooTeam Picnic PostNL0:209 (1)Liane LippertMovistar Team0:2010 (9)Anna MorrisGreat Britain0:2011 (4)Quinty TonLiv AlUla Jayco0:2012 (3)Letizia BorghesiAG Insurance Soudal Team0:2013 (5)Caroline AnderssonLiv AlUla Jayco0:2014 (1)Marte Berg EdsethUno-X Mobility0:2015 (3)KateFDJ United SUEZ CourtneyUAE Team LIMAD0:2016 (9)Eleonora CamillaUAE Team LIMAD GasparriniFDJ United SUEZ0:2017 (2)Flora PerkinsFenix-Premier Tech0:2018 (3)Francesca BaraleMovistar Team0:2019 (1)Margot VanpachtenbekeLidl Trek0:2020 (3)Pfeiffer GeorgiTeam Picnic PostNL0:2021 (7)Agt Eva vanFDJ United SUEZ0:2022Anrooij Shirin vanLidl Trek0:2023 (3)Lauren DicksonFDJ United SUEZ0:2024 (8)Maud OudemanTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:2025 (2)Cecilie Uttrup LudwigCANYON//SRAM0:2026 (1)Riejanne MarkusLidl Trek0:2027 (1)Ricarda BauernfeindLidl Trek0:2028 (4)Lotte KopeckyTeam SD Worx Protime0:2029 (3)AudeMovistar Team BiannicTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:2030 (1)Vries FemkeTeam Visma | Lease a Bike deMovistar Team0:2031 (1)Steffi HberlinTeam SD Worx Protime0:2032 (3)Julia KopeckTeam SD Worx Protime0:2033 (3)Maggie Coles-LysterHuman Powered Health2:4234 (1)Lara GillespieUAE Team LIMAD2:4635 (1)Nienke VeenhovenTeam Visma | Lease a Bike2:4836 (1)Prez Luca RuizMovistar Team2:4837 (1)Morven YeomanDAS Hutchinson2:4838 (1)No JansenLiv AlUla Jayco2:4839 (5)Marta JaskulskaHuman Powered Health2:4840 (17)Ally WollastonFDJ United SUEZ2:4841 (5)Imogen WolffTeam Visma | Lease a Bike2:4842 (12)Josie TalbotLiv AlUla Jayco2:4843 (3)Oda Aune GissingerHitec Products Fluid Control2:4844 (1)Alberte GreveUno-X Mobility2:4845 (25)Millie CouzensFenix-Premier Tech2:4846 (2)Iurani BlancoHuman Powered Health2:4847 (2)Katie ScottDAS Hutchinson2:4848 (9)Alice TowersGreat Britain2:4849 (7)Magdalene LindHitec Products Fluid Control2:4850 (1)Alessia VigiliaUno-X Mobility2:4851 (18)Zoe BckstedtCANYON//SRAM2:4852Marthe TruyenFenix-Premier Tech2:4853 (9)Ingvild GskjennUno-X Mobility2:4854 (4)Sara MartnMovistar Team2:4855Erica MagnaldiUAE Team LIMAD2:4856 (7)Justyna CzaplaCANYON//SRAM2:4857 (4)Keersmaeker Audrey DeTeam Picnic PostNL2:4858Nina BuijsmanHuman Powered Health2:4859 (3)Nomie ThomsonDAS Hutchinson2:4860 (8)Soraya PaladinCANYON//SRAM2:4861 (5)Katrine AalerudUno-X Mobility2:4862 (19)Ketelsen Ida KrickauOShea Red Chilli Bikes2:4863 (4)Amandine FouquenetAG Insurance Soudal Team2:4864 (3)Claire SteelsMovistar Team2:4865La CurinierFDJ United SUEZ2:4866 (25)Karlijn KoopsOShea Red Chilli Bikes2:4867 (4)Alphen Aniek vanFenix-Premier Tech2:4868 (21)Wilma AintilaCANYON//SRAM3:1669 (9)Femke GerritseTeam SD Worx Protime3:1670 (6)Vittoria GuazziniFDJ United SUEZ3:1671 (18)Marit RaaijmakersHuman Powered Health5:1872 (10)Clara CopponiLidl Trek8:4873 (7)Tiffany KeepDAS Hutchinson8:4874 (4)Madelaine LeechHandsling Alba Development Road Team8:4875 (13)Julia BorgstrmHitec Products Fluid Control8:4876 (2)Amalie CooperGreat Britain8:4877 (10)Mieke DocxDAS Hutchinson8:4878 (2)Ceylin del Carmen AlvaradoFenix-Premier Tech8:4879 (2)Febe JoorisUAE Team LIMAD8:4880 (8)Sannara GroveSmurfit Westrock Cycling Team8:4881 (8)Rasmussen Alma Walther MllerHitec Products Fluid Control8:4882 (7)Anna FlynnHandsling Alba Development Road Team8:4883 (4)Marthe GoossensAG Insurance Soudal Team8:4884 (1)Alexandra ManlyAG Insurance Soudal Team8:4885 (6)Margaux VigiTeam Visma | Lease a Bike8:4886Daniela HezinovTeam Picnic PostNL8:4887 (2)Dilyxine MiermontTeam Picnic PostNL8:4888 (1)Eynde Fien VanFenix-Premier Tech8:4889 (1)Beth MorrowHandsling Alba Development Road Team8:4890 (6)Georgia BakerLiv AlUla Jayco9:1691 (10)Amber PateLiv AlUla Jayco9:2792 (2)Teuntje BeekhuisUno-X Mobility10:3393Grace ListerHandsling Alba Development Road Team10:3394 (2)Ruby OakesGreat Britain10:3395 (1)Arabella Rosalie BlackburnHandsling Alba Development Road Team12:3096 (1)Elynor BckstedtUAE Team LIMAD13:0397 (2)Yilla ThreelsOShea Red Chilli Bikes17:3598 (2)Leila GschwentnerSmurfit Westrock Cycling Team19:4899 (2)Matilda McKibbenOShea Red Chilli Bikes20:22100 (2)Madeline CooperHandsling Alba Development Road Team20:22101 (2)Lucy LeeDAS Hutchinson24:38102 (1)Jo TindleySmurfit Westrock Cycling Team27:40103 (2)Amelia CebakSmurfit Westrock Cycling Team32:45104 (2)Teniel CampbellSmurfit Westrock Cycling Team33:08105 (3)Stine Marie SnortheimHitec Products Fluid Control34:16106 (2)Petra StiasnyHuman Powered Health39:06PTSPoints ClassificationThe Women S Tour 2026 20 riders1Lorena WiebesTeam SD Worx Protime50 pts2 (1)Chiara ConsonniCANYON//SRAM23 pts3 (3)Court-Pienaar Kim LeAG Insurance Soudal Team22 pts4 (2)Karlijn SwinkelsUAE Team LIMAD21 pts5 (7)Maggie Coles-LysterHuman Powered Health21 pts6 (2)Lara GillespieUAE Team LIMAD13 pts7 (3)Mischa BredewoldTeam SD Worx Protime12 pts8 (3)Josie NelsonTeam Picnic PostNL12 pts9 (6)Nienke VeenhovenTeam Visma | Lease a Bike9 pts10 (3)Quinty TonLiv AlUla Jayco8 pts11 (2)Caroline AnderssonLiv AlUla Jayco6 pts12 (2)Letizia BorghesiAG Insurance Soudal Team5 pts13Clara CopponiLidl Trek4 pts14 (3)Liane LippertMovistar Team3 pts15 (2)Imogen WolffTeam Visma | Lease a Bike3 pts16Teuntje BeekhuisUno-X Mobility3 pts17Ally WollastonFDJ United SUEZ2 pts18 (4)Fleur MoorsLidl Trek1 pt19Juliana LondooTeam Picnic PostNL1 pt20 (4)Marta JaskulskaHuman Powered Health1 ptKOMMountains ClassificationThe Women S Tour 2026 18 riders1 (1)Steffi HberlinTeam SD Worx Protime16 pts2 (1)Lauren DicksonFDJ United SUEZ14 pts3 (4)Caroline AnderssonLiv AlUla Jayco11 pts4 (3)Keersmaeker Audrey DeTeam Picnic PostNL10 pts5Marta JaskulskaHuman Powered Health7 pts6Kate CourtneyFDJ United SUEZ6 pts7 (3)Arabella Rosalie BlackburnHandsling Alba Development Road Team5 pts8Court-Pienaar Kim LeAG Insurance Soudal Team5 pts9 (4)Erica MagnaldiUAE Team LIMAD4 pts10Cecilie Uttrup LudwigCANYON//SRAM4 pts11 (5)Dilyxine MiermontTeam Picnic PostNL3 pts12Elynor BckstedtUAE Team LIMAD3 pts13Liane LippertMovistar Team2 pts14 (6)Vries Femke deTeam Visma | Lease a Bike2 pts15 (6)Eleonora Camilla GasparriniUAE Team LIMAD2 pts16 (5)Millie CouzensFenix-Premier Tech1 pt17 (7)Marthe TruyenFenix-Premier Tech1 pt18Alberte GreveUno-X Mobility1 ptYTHYoung Rider ClassificationThe Women S Tour 2026 24 riders1Fleur MoorsLidl Trek7:32:352Juliana LondooTeam Picnic PostNL0:003Julia KopeckTeam SD Worx Protime0:004Nienke VeenhovenTeam Visma | Lease a Bike2:285Prez Luca RuizMovistar Team2:286ImogenTeam Visma | Lease a Bike WolffDAS Hutchinson2:287 (3)MorvenDAS Hutchinson YeomanTeam Visma | Lease a Bike2:288 (1)Oda Aune GissingerHitec Products Fluid Control2:289Alberte GreveUno-X Mobility2:2810 (3)Zoe BckstedtCANYON//SRAM2:2811 (1)Justyna CzaplaCANYON//SRAM2:2812 (4)Ketelsen Ida KrickauOShea Red Chilli Bikes2:2813 (2)Wilma AintilaCANYON//SRAM2:5614 (1)Amalie CooperGreat Britain8:2815 (1)Febe JoorisUAE Team LIMAD8:2816 (2)Rasmussen Alma Walther MllerHitec Products Fluid Control8:2817Daniela HezinovTeam Picnic PostNL8:2818 (1)Grace ListerHandsling Alba Development Road Team10:1319 (1)Ruby OakesGreat Britain10:1320Arabella Rosalie BlackburnHandsling Alba Development Road Team12:1021 (2)Yilla ThreelsOShea Red Chilli Bikes17:1522 (1)Matilda McKibbenOShea Red Chilli Bikes20:0223 (1)Madeline CooperHandsling Alba Development Road Team20:0224Amelia CebakSmurfit Westrock Cycling Team32:25Stage 2 PhotosPhotography by SWpix.comPicture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Katrine Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility)Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx - Protime), Winner of Stage 2Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Riders line up in ClitheroePicture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx - Protime), Winner of Stage 2Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Leader of the Points Competition, Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx - Protime)Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Winner of the days Combativity Award, Katrine Aalerud (Uno-X Mobility)Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Lorena Wiebes (Team SD Worx - Protime), Winner of Stage 2, in the race leaders jerseyPicture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - The peloton as they pass Waddington FellPicture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com - 20/08/2026 - Cycling - UCI Women's World Tour - 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women - Stage 2: Clitheroe to Blackpool (110.5km) - Emilie Alberte Greve (Uno-X Mobility) and Marta Jaskulska (Human Powered Health)9 photos

Tadej Pogacar approaches the Vuelta a Espaa 2026 with the ambition of conquering the only major goal still missing from his palmars. The Slovenian reaches the Monaco start after racing the Tour de France and admits recovery time has been limited, though he believes it has been enough to arrive in...

The photos are an ominous warning for the Tour of Britain Men, which is due to use similar local roads in a fortnight's time.

We're on the countdown to Bike of the Year 2026 and, having introduced this year's test yesterday, it's time to announce the shortlist for the Race Bike of the Year category.Its been a year of keen development for race road bike tech.Aerodynamics remain a major development battleground, but they're no longer the sole focus. Comfort, fit and handling are playing increasingly important roles, with brands recognising the fastest bike on paper isn't always the fastest for the rider.The result is a Bike of the Year category that's more competitive than it's been for years.Weve been testing the latest bikes all year (you can read some of the reviews on BikeRadar right now), enabling us to take a snapshot of the current trends and identify the key leaders. The race bikes we've tested since last year's Bike of the Year form the longlist for the 2026 category. Any bikes that missed our deadline will be considered for next year's test.We'll be crowning our 2026 Race Bike of the Year on Thursday 27 August, alongside our Gravel Bike of the Year and Endurance Road Bike of the Year winners. We'll also crown an overall winner to take the top prize. Read more: Introducing Bike of the Year 2026 who will take the coveted crown this year?Refined geometries, more tyre clearance and improved value It's been a year of rapid development for race bikes. Scott Windsor / Our Media If there was one defining trend over the past decade, it was brands relentless pursuit of aerodynamic efficiency, with aero becoming established as the dominant factor for speed for pro riders and amateurs alike. That's partly still true in 2026, but it's no longer that simple.The clearest example is the new Factor One, a bike developed almost entirely around aerodynamic optimisation. It maximises the UCIs regulations with radical tube profiles, sporting a heavily refined front end with a bayonet fork reminiscent of both of last years finalists (the Colnago Y1Rs and eventual winner, the Cervlo S5).At the same time, brands have recognised that pure race-bike geometry doesn't suit every rider, nor is the most aggressive position necessarily the fastest. Several of this year's launches, including the Factor One, have introduced more progressive riding positions. Read more: I thought people shouldnt ride race bikes, but a new bike has changed my mind Taller stacks are now starting to be seen. Andy Lloyd / Ourmedia The Eddy Merckx 525 R adopts a noticeably more approachable geometry than many traditional race bikes, while the Canyon Endurace CFR takes an altogether different approach, blurring the line between endurance and race categories essentially adding endurance bike tyre clearance to a race bike layout.Tied to geometry, fit has become another key area of development. Rather than expecting riders to adapt to an aggressive position, brands are increasingly building more adjustability into their bikes.The Look 795 Blade RS 3, as one example, introduces a whopping 350 fit configurations. It's a welcome shift that should make it easier for riders to achieve an efficient position that works for them. Read more: The new Canyon Endurace CFR is good, but I dont think it's an endurance bike The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 was a case of 'if it ain't broke...' Perhaps the most encouraging development is the emergence of stronger value propositions. Premium superbikes continue to command premium prices, but bikes such as the Rose Shave FFX have emerged this year, demonstrating that genuine race performance doesn't necessarily require a five-figure budget. The Cube Litening Aero C:68X is another great example, but launched after our deadline for this years edition.Alongside these remain the established benchmarks. The Specialized Tarmac SL9, Cannondale SuperSix Evo and Giant Propel continue to set exceptionally high standards, while proven bikes such as the Merida Reacto and Cervlo Soloist ensure this year's competition is deeper than ever.BikeRadar Race Bike of the Year 2026 contendersMerida Reacto The Merida Reacto has impressed in the wind tunnel. Andy Lloyd / Ourmedia Merida's latest Reacto remains one of the most complete aero race bikes on the market, and made headlines when it snuck under the 200W aero resistance barrier in TOUR magazines renowned wind-tunnel test.It blends slippery aerodynamics with a surprisingly refined ride quality and has consistently impressed when weve tested its predecessors.As is often the case with Merida, it's smart value, too.Cervlo Soloist The Soloist arguably takes the best of the S5 and R5 and blends them into a (slightly) more affordable package. Warren Rossiter / Ourmedia The Cervlo Soloist occupies an interesting middle ground between racing superbikes and more accessible performance machines.Its blend of speed, practicality and comparatively sensible pricing (for a Cervlo) continues to make it an appealing option for those who want a premium-brand bike for less money.Giant Propel Could the Propel go all the way in 2026? Andy Lloyd / Ourmedia The Giant Propel remains one of the most accomplished aero race bikes available and has proven itself at the highest level of professional racing. Its combination of outright speed and composed handling has made it a longstanding favourite.Its historical capabilities are well-regarded, but our testing of the latest iteration will reveal whether its top dog in 2026.Rose Shave FFX The Rose Shave was one of the best value race bikes we reviewed in 2026. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Rose has made one of the strongest value statements in this year's category with the Shave FFX. It delivers genuine race performance and spec at a far more attainable cost.In our initial review, we felt the Shave FFX performed exactly as a race bike should even if its ride is on the firm side (a historically forgivable attribute in a race bike, if ever there was one). However, is that enough in 2026? Eddy Merckx 525R The Eddy Merckx 525R features a progressive geometry. Andy Lloyd / Ourmedia The Eddy Merckx 525R reflects a growing industry shift towards race bikes that prioritise rider fit alongside outright speed. A more accommodating geometry for everyday riders will also broaden its appeal considerably.Warren Rossiter described it as the best race bike he had ever ridden at the time of publication but can it take the coveted Bike of the Year crown once all our testing is complete? Cannondale SuperSix Evo The Cannondale SuperSix Evo is an old favourite, freshly updated this year. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Cannondale's SuperSix Evo continues to exemplify the modern all-round race bike. Light, fast and exceptionally well balanced, it remains one of the easiest race bikes to recommend (if value for money isnt your primary concern).A first-ride review is already live on BikeRadar, and it has earned its place on the shortlist given it remains such a prodigiously fast bike to ride. The question is whether newer rivals have managed to move the category forward more.Factor Monza Perhaps not the headline-making Factor, but the one you should buy? Scott Windsor / Our Media The Factor Monza might not have been Factors most notable launch this year that honour surely goes to the striking One (see below under special mentions) but the Monza impressed with its more democratic approach to a race bike.We also liked that it included down tube storage a practical and rare feature to find on race bikes despite the growing popularity of in-built storage on gravel and endurance machines.Wilier Filante SLR ID2 The Wilier Filante SLR ID2 is surely one of the best-looking bikes of our contenders this year. Scott Windsor / Our Media If BOTY was a beauty contest, the Wilier Filante SLR ID2 would have the race category sewn up.That said, theres far more to this bike than that it was incredibly fast to ride when tested, and handled exactly as many would want from an aero-leaning all-round race bike.One could argue it takes the best features of contemporary race bikes and blends them into a single package. A Goldilocks bike, perhaps.Special mentionsSadly, not all new bikes can be tested in time for Bike of the Year reasons include test bike availability, our editorial prioritisation of the most interesting bikes and other logistical hurdles.That said, you can rest assured that we have made our best efforts to call in and test all the bikes listed. Despite not making our deadline for inclusion, we still feel the below bikes are worthy of mention.Once tested, these bikes will be eligible for next years Bike of the Year edition. Factor One The Factor One is one of the most distinctive race bikes in the world. Factor Few launches have generated as much discussion as the Factor One. It represents one of the boldest aerodynamic designs we've seen in recent years and aims to push aero efficiency to an entirely new level.Despite being as aggressive-looking as they come, it features a progressive geometry with a tall front end a sign Factor has been hard at work to understand where gains can be made in the rider-bike system, rather than just on the bike itself.Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 We haven't yet got our hands on an S-Works Tarmac SL9 at home. Simon von Bromley / Our Media With predecessors that defined the modern all-round race bike, balancing low weight, aerodynamic performance and exceptional handling, the new S-Works Tarmac SL9 was a shoo-in for inclusion.It comes with lofty claims Specialized argues it remains the fastest race bike in the world while we know it remains popular with you, our audience.Canyon Endurace CFR The Canyon Endurace CFR takes Aeroad aerodynamics and adds extra tyre clearance. Canyon Canyon's Endurace CFR challenges traditional category boundaries by delivering race-bike levels of performance from a platform that's said to be easier to live with over long distances, thanks to its wider tyre clearances.Despite the name, this is a race bike at heart, sharing practically the same geometry as the brands Aeroad model. For its Endurace SLX sibling, see our endurance bike category.Look 795 Blade RS 3 Look says the 795 Blade RS 3 can come in more than 350 fit configurations. Look Look's latest 795 Blade RS 3 combines the brand's racing heritage with a much greater emphasis on rider fit and cockpit adjustability than previous generations.In fact, it could be the most adjustable race bike in the world with more than 350 fit options time will tell if the storied French marque has got everything else right too.Cube Litening Aero C:68X Landing just after our deadline for Bike of the Year 2026, the Cube Litening Aero C:68X has already set a very tough value benchmark for next year's edition. The new Cube Litening Aero C:68X arrived for testing too late for inclusion in this years race bike category, but it could well be a contender for an award in 2027. While ticking all the major boxes for a modern race bike, the pro-spec SLT and SLX models cost 7,499 / 7,299, which is remarkable value for a bike we saw raced at the 2026 Tour de France.Shimano Ultegra Di2 and SRAM Force AXS-specced models cost 4,999 / 4,999 with the same pro-spec frameset, making this one of the smartest race bike buys as we go to press.How is a bike considered for Bike of the Year? And why isnt a particular bike included in the main shortlist?Bike of the Year is made possible by the testing weve done throughout the year, with our picks coming from the bank of experience weve built up from riding those bikes.In order for a bike to be considered for inclusion, we need to have performed either a full or first-ride review on home roads for familiarity, to enable true comparative testing with fewer ride-affecting variables such as road quality or gravel type.Bikes given a first-ride review at a launch event are ineligible until a test can be carried out on our known test routes.That's why the Tarmac SL9 misses out, despite our best efforts.As much as we'd like to test every bike out there, Bike of the Year is focussed on the machines we've been able to evaluate and give a verdict on since last year's test. That means some bikes miss out, including bikes we've requested but brands haven't been able to send us, or that can only arrive after our testing deadline.Our shortlist bikes are then chosen by our expert testing team, led by Bike of the Year veteran and lead tester, Warren Rossiter, ahead of a final three being selected and tested back-to-back to find the category winner.