Twelve race bikes worth close to 200,000 had disappeared, Unibet Rose Rockets were scrambling to find replacements ahead of two Spanish races and the stolen equipment could have been anywhere. Less than two days later, French police found the bikes virtually intact inside an apartment on the twelft...

Demi Vollering arrived in Nice on Sunday evening with a second Tour de France Femmes title, three stage victories and another emphatic reminder of her place at the top of women's cycling. By Monday morning, the scale of what she had achieved was being assessed far beyond the Netherlands. In France,...

Demi Vollering's FDJ United-Suez team took home 77,080 (65,949/$89,035) in prize money from the 2026 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, leaving the race top of the prize list.A total of 260,750 (223,113/$301,192) was on offer for the 21 teams at the race, awarded based on performance. Teams that did well on the general classification or won stages populate the top of the table, but six teams won less than 1,000, with Mayenne Monbana My Pie bottom, without anything. A large part of FDJ's winnings come from Vollering's yellow jersey triumph. She earned 50,000; combined with the money won for three stage victories, this is why FDJ sit top of the table.However, FDJ's haul is less than a 10th of what the most successful team at the men's Tour de France, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, received. Last month, the team of Tadej Pogaar won 832,750, including 500,000 alone for Pogaar winning overall. While the women's race is nine stages, rather than the 21 for the men, the prize money works out at 28,972 per stage for the Tour de France Femmes, as opposed to 109,523 per stage for the men's Tour de France. Analysed per kilometre raced, there was 708 of prize money per km at the men's race, compared to 222 per km at the Femmes.The Tour de France Femmes' race director Marion Rousse has previously defended the prize money disparity, pointing out that women's cycling has come a long way. "The most important thing is being able to live off your passion rather than just focusing on prize money that does not provide for a sustainable income," she is reported to have said last year."When you compare the prize funds, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift actually boasts a larger prize pool than the Critrium du Dauphin for an equivalent number of race days."All prize money is traditionally shared around a team, rather than going to the individual winners, and all riders at the Tour de France Femmes are subject to minimum salaries, with many earning much more; Vollering's deal with FDJ-Suez deal was understood to be worth around 900,000.For Women's WorldTour riders, the minimum 38,000 per year for employed riders past their first year and 31,768 for employed neo-pros, while for self-employed riders, the minimums are 62,320 and 52,000 respectively. For ProTeams, the minimum is 18,392 for an employed neo-pro, 20,000 for someone past their first year, and 30,162 for a self-employed neo-pro, and 36,080 for a self-employed rider past their first year.Tour de France Femmes 2026 prize moneyTeamPrize money ()FDJ United-Suez77,080Canyon-SRAM51,500UAE Team L'IMAD37,980SD Worx-Protime18,940Lidl-Trek14,880EF Education-Oatly12,140AG Insurance-Soudal10,480Movistar8,860Visma-Lease a Bike7,370Fenix-Premier Tech6,740Uno-X Mobility5,140Human Powered Health3,180Cofidis1,490St Michel-Preference Home-Auber931,420Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi1,050Ma Petite Entreprise760Liv AlUla Jayco750Picnic PostNL400Lotto Intermarch340Volkerwessels250Mayenne Monbana My Pie0How is the prize money allocated?Prize money at the Tour de France Femmes is weighted heavily on each riders placing in the overall standings. The yellow jersey winner received 50,000 almost a quarter of the entire prize pot while second place earned 25,000, third earned 10,000, and the winnings diminish down to 1,000 for 16th-20th place. There are also sums on offer for the winners of each of the other three jerseys green, polka dot and white. Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) took home the green jersey as the winner of the points classification, and netted 3,000. The same sum went to Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech) as the Queen of the Mountains. Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM) also got 3,000 for best young rider. In the mountains and points classifications, there was money awarded down to fifth, while in the young rider's competition, that went down to 500 for fourth lucky Nienke Vinke (SD Worx-Protime). Each day a rider spends in a distinctive jersey netted them 800.Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM) won the overall combativity award as well as finishing second, taking home 2,000 for the former. Meanwhile, Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-Suez) won "best teammte" according to the jury, which got her and her team 1,500.The team classification, awarded to the team with the best cumulative time of its top three-riders in the GC, means prize money too. UAE Team L'IMAD, with three riders in the top seven overall, won this, meaning they got a bonus 6,000, while Lidl-Trek in second got 4,000, and FDJ United-Suez in third won 2,500. For being the first team on each stage, there was 200 a day,Prize money is also awarded after every stage based on each riders placing: 4,000 for the stage winner, 2,000 for second place, 1,000 for third, all the way down to 200 for 20th. Riders also had the chance to win between 30 and 160 for being first over classified climbs, and 120 for being first at each intermediate sprint, 70 for second, and 30 for third,

Well this weekend was an exciting* one for meand not just because I saw Hollywood legend Kurt Russells Hyundai:*[Disclaimer: My Excit-O-Meter tool is calibrated differently than yours, so what registers as EXTREME EXCITEMENT on mine probably reads as MAY CAUSE DROWSINESSDO NOT OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY on yours.]Once again, my elder son had to attend an activity out of town, in the same location as last time. So once again, I brought a bike with me. And because I now kind-of-sort-of had the lay of the land, I decided it was time to venture off of the paved roads in search of Very Small Rocks:This would be a formidable test not only for me, but for the newly-reconfigured Farbman, curated by Jrs Trli with just such a ride in mind:Bravely, I downloaded a route I found on a popular online bike navigation application, and after dropping off my son I ventured forth into the wilderness. Here I found all kinds of gravel, including Industry Standard:As well as that controversial new half-road, half-gravel lab-grown stuff our leading gravel scientists are now curating by using gene splicing:I also saw signs of abundant non-bicycle recreation in the area, such as boating:When I start to feel guilty about a new bike purchase I always look into the cost of boating, because it makes me feel much, much better about being a cyclist. Ever wonder how companies like Specialized get away with selling $14,000 gravel bikes? Its because boating exists:Id imagine that after a single season of boat ownership that S-Wanks seems like its practically free.I also saw these:No, thats not a bear trap, its a disc golf basket:Disc golf is widely considered by me to be the gravel cycling of Frisbee.Seems like if you put a bunch of those baskets out there on the lake you could have an epic game of boat disc golf. That would make cycling and regular golf both seem dirt cheap.As for the Farbman, it passed its first proper gravelling test with flying colorsand I mean that both figuratively and literally, because its quite colorful:In fact I only noticed after the ride that the saddle roll thingy had been slowly unfurling the whole time, but fortunately I didnt lose anything. Anyway, its almost like you dont need a special bike to ride on Very Small Rocks at all! You can also fully enjoy it on any old bike, even an exquisite one made by one of the most revered builders in the world. Now hows that for accessible?Also, I could not have stolen a more enjoyable route, though I did remember the one problem with late summer Very Small Rocks riding, which is the mosquitoes. Without looking it up, I would guess that the top speed of a mosquito is 5mph, because as soon as I drop below that on the climbs they start swarming and it feels like Im wearing a beekeepers mask full of the things. In fact last summer on one such ride during my vacation I pulled a twig off a tree and used it to swat them away.It didnt work.I suppose the most reasonable course of action would be to use some sort of bug repellant, though I never think of that beforehand. Or, I could get some sort of Gravel Lizard to keep on my shoulder while Im riding. Okay, AI, do your thing:Holy crap, that is a gigantic mosquito!I do like the Dedicated Gravel Lizard Pouch, though.

Wrapping up our coverage of the 2026 Colorado Trail Race, seasoned photographer Eddie Clark presents a curated selection of his favorite shots from the grueling race through the Rockies that saw a record number of scratches due to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. From stunning alpine vistas to sleepy mountain towns and shared moments of camaraderie and connection, find his full gallery and sign-off report hereThe post A Photographic Look Back at the 2026 Colorado Trail Race appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team have made another significant move in the transfer market, signing Czech sprinter Pavel Bittner from Team Picnic PostNL on a two-year deal from the start of 2027. The 23-year-old becomes another proven WorldTour-level addition to Tom Pidcock's team following the alre...

Pauline Ferrand Prvot has vowed that she'll return to the Tour de France Femmes stronger after her doomed defence of her yellow jersey at the 2026 edition. The French veteran found herself on the back-foot early in the race as she conceded time in the stage 4 time trial as well as during stage 5 be...

A woman in her 80s was knocked off her bicycle and seriously injured this morning in a collision involving a truck driver in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.A spokesperson at the Garda Press Office said: Garda are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision involving a truck and a bicycle that occurred on the R414 (Rathangan Road) at Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, on Monday 10th August 2026. The collision occurred at approximately 9.50am.The female cyclist (aged in her 80s) was conveyed to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, for treatment of serious injuries, the spokperson said. Garda said that no other injuries were reported at the time, and that the road is currently closed pending technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators.The spokesperson added: Garda are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. Road users who were travelling in the area of the R414 (Rathangan Road) known locally as Cow Pastures at Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, on Monday 10th August 2026 between 9:15am and 10.15am and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), are asked to make this footage available to Garda.Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact Kildare Garda Station on (045) 527 730, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Mathieu van der Poel has dropped his road bike and replaced it with a mountain bike - re-focusing to a new discipline just two weeks after his Tour de France heroics. The former World champion was in fine form at La Grand Boucle, claiming two breakaway wins and helping Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate...

Summers are getting hotter, and with that, it's getting more important for riders to look at skin protection - both in terms of sun cream and UV-protective kit, as incidences of skin cancer and melanoma are increasing all around the world. With average temperatures and days of sunshine reaching record highs, should we really be heading out for long rides without giving our skin a thought? While cyclists in the northern hemisphere are super-keen to get into short-sleeved jerseys and shorts after grinding out a long and cold winter period, is it time to switch to lightweight, long-sleeve, UV-protective garment alternatives instead?This year's Tour de France was a scorcher (Image credit: Photo: ASO/Charly Lopez)What is skin cancer?There are two kinds of skin cancer: melanoma, which is faster-acting and more serious, and non-melanoma, which is slower-acting and more easily treatable. Both are serious concerns and require medical attention. They occur as UV radiation from the sun penetrates our skin and damages the DNA in the skin cells, which, over time, can develop into skin cancer. The higher the UV exposure, such as extended periods sunbathing, sun beds, or living nearer the equator, the more likely you are to develop skin cancer.According to the cancer charity Macmillan, individual risk factors are blonde/red hair, fairer skin or freckles, and green or blue eyes. People of colour have less risk of developing skin cancer due to more melanin being produced in the skin, but areas such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet are risk factors, and prolonged exposure to UV rays will still cause damage.There are two kinds of UV: UV A and UV B. UV B is short-wave and causes more surface damage, such as burning and DNA damage, while UV A is long-wave, penetrates deeper, and has a greater impact on aging skin.Should you cover up when the sun is at its peak? (Image credit: Photos GETTY IMAGES, FUTURE PLC, SHUTTERSTOCK)Why does this matter to cyclists?If you cycle in shorts and a short-sleeved jersey, you are exposing your head, arms, hands, and legs to UV radiation. These are common locations for skin cancer development. Cancer Research UK found that between 2018 and 2021, more than a third of melanomas diagnosed in women were on the leg (hip to feet). In men, 40% were diagnosed on the torso. Reasons for this were suggested as men being more likely to remove shirts in the summer, and women wearing shorter skirts or shorts.Additionally, a research paper published in 2026 by T J Scott et al, found that between 1990 and 2023, the mean length of the summer period has increased by 5-7 days in both hemispheres, but more so in the northern hemisphere. This is also paired with more days of sun and an increase in temperatures, which comes with an increase in UV radiation.As cyclists, summer and sun normally mean arms and legs come out, which are both areas that can be affected by skin cancer and UV damage. Which really begs the question: why arent more cyclists keeping long sleeves on in the summer?There are lightweight long-sleeves and leg warmers available (Image credit: Philip Barker)Why would I wear long-sleeved kit in the summer?For many cyclists, a long-sleeved jersey is typically a thermal fleece-lined offering designed for autumn and winter riding. But there has been an ever-growing trend, in part pushed by mainland European and Asian markets, for lightweight, summer-focused long-sleeved garments that provide greater UV protection.A good example is MAAPs Aeon Jersey. This comes in both long- and short-sleeve variants, and both are UV protective to 15 UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). UPF is the protective rating for clothing, which blocks UV A and UV B, while SPF (Sun Protection Factor) protects against UV B, burning rays, and is the rating for suncream. As a general guideline, UPF refers to the percentage of UV that penetrates, so UPF 50 means only 1/50th or two per cent of UV rays penetrate. SPF rating refers to the amount of time you are protected from sun damage in minutes, times the rating. So if youd require 10 minutes of sun to burn, SPF 15 gives you 150 minutes of protection; this doesn't account for moisture, sweat, or salt but provides a useful indication. Meanwhile, UPF is a constant, and the protection does not wane over time.The Aeon jersey comprises Polartec Delta fabric, which is highly breathable and exceptional at moisture wicking. Indeed, the temperature range for the long-sleeve jersey suggested by MAAP is 18-35C, so definitely the warmest of summer weather we can expect in the UK, and the upper end of what tends to be tolerable for most. Having tested the long-sleeve jersey on some more tropical summery days, it does a very good job of wicking moisture away while keeping me cool.Other similar options include the Pas Normal Studios Essential Light LS, Assos Mille GT LS, and Castelli Coretto LS; all are lightweight long-sleeve jerseys that aim to protect against UV damage.For the legs, the Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Bib tights offer full-length bib-tight protection, but the material is thinner and has no fleece or thermal properties. Both the Velocio Luxe bibs and the Ornot lightweight bibs serve a similar purpose.The big benefit here, of course, is that UV exposure to the skin is greatly reduced, so the incidence of UV-related damage should be lower, and the risk of skin cancer should be reduced as a result. Yes, these garments are a touch warmer by comparison, especially on more humid days, but I'd argue the potential long-term safety benefits far exceed the slight increase in discomfort.Sunscreen helps, but in the sweaty conditions assured in a summer's day ride on a bike, it might not be enough. (Image credit: Getty Images)What about sun cream?Of course, another way to protect against sun damage is by using sun cream. Normally, these are at least SPF 30, but it is generally recommended to use SPF 50 in Europe. SPF 100 is not uncommon nearer the equator, though. Sun creams do protect well against UV damage, better than most jerseys in fact. But there is a problem.Sun creams are generally tested in an environment where there is not as much sweating. When cycling in high summer, this is usually not the case. It's also recommended to reapply them every 90 minutes or so, although some of the best cycling sunscreens do offer a longer window of protection. Although you can get small sun cream bottles or sprays, I have rarely seen any cyclist stop mid-ride to reapply suncream. That 90 minutes recommendation is also generous if you end up sweating heavily. Additionally, salt crystals on the skin left as residue from sweat and evaporative cooling can increase the damage caused by UV to the skin.As previously mentioned, suncream becomes less effective over time. In contrast, a UPF-rated piece of clothing maintains its UV-blocking capabilities for the entire duration of a ride.The bottom lineIf you are riding in sunnier conditions, to best protect your skin against UV damage and reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, you should wear long-sleeved, UV-protective cycling garments. A lot of brands now offer long-sleeved jerseys and tights that feature lighter, more breathable, moisture-wicking materials designed to keep you pretty much as cool and comfortable as a short-sleeved variant. You can also buy UV Screens from various brands, which are lightweight arm and leg warmers that generally offer UPF 50 protection. You should also apply sun cream to areas of high UV exposure as well as to any visible scars and the back of your neck, ears, and nose. If youre planning a long day in the saddle, take sun cream with you to reapply.For those with finer hair or less hair on the top of their head, wear a lightweight cap. All those helmet vents will let sunlight in and cause both an interesting-looking tan as well as damage to the skin.