Manitou has just released its legendary Dorado upside-down downhill fork in a special Pro Silver Edition. At present, there are only two ways to get your hands on this shiny component. The first is to be an elite-level DH racer on the AON Racing team. The other is to purchase one of the extremely limited supply of Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition downhill eMTBs that will be produced this fall. A silver fork is cool and all, but the Nicolai R20 is really something else. Read on for the detailsAon Racing has been riding the Dorado Pro Silver Edition this year. (photo / Manitou)Why Silver?With a name like Dorado Spanish for golden silver is a curious choice for this limited-edition fork. Working with AON Racing, Manitou developed the silver Dorado exclusively for use on the teams super-wild prototype race bike, which carried Reece Wilson to 2nd place at the World Cup DH in Andorra. That very unique bike is a story in and of itself, and Cory already covered it in great detail if youre interested in learning more.Interestingly, the Manitou Dorado may be one of the most normal components on that AON DH bike. With its distinctive looks and inverted design, the Dorado still turns heads, especially in flashy silver. The inverted architecture is intended to keep the bushings and seals lubricated to maintain consistent, smooth performance while enhancing fore-aft stiffness and controlled torsional flex.The Manitou Dorado Pro Silver Edition. (photo / Manitou)Dorado DetailsWithout going into too much detail weve covered the Dorado before the fork can be configured in 180, 190, and 203mm travel lengths with no additional parts. Manitou says the Dorado Air Spring includes a unique balancing valve to equalize both the positive and negative air chambers during inflation for consistent spring behavior. The fork is also equipped with IRT (Infinite Rate Tune), which is a secondary, infinitely adjustable positive air spring for the middle and end of the forks travel. This allows riders to tune for small-bump sensitivity independently of the mid- and end-stroke.On the damping side, the TPC+ provides variable damping depending on velocity and position in the travel. It also features a Hydraulic Bottom Out circuit to provide progression and control in the last 30mm of travel with no impact on the rest of the stroke. A spring-backed IFP (internal Floating Piston) helps keep your damper oil pressurized so the fork maintains its consistent, smooth performance during long, rough downhill runs.The Dorado also features TSR bleed buttons to release pressure from the outer legs as a result of temperature or elevation changes. The Dorado works with 29 and 27.5 wheels, and riders have the ability to adjust air spring pressure, IRT, rebound, and high- and low-speed compression.(photo / Manitou)How Can You Ride It?Since most of us arent elite-level DH riders and will never be on the AON Racing team, the only other way to acquire the Dorado Pro Silver Edition fork is on the Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition bike. And while a silver inverted fork is neat and all, this Nicolai DH eMTB is arguably a lot more interesting.Lets check it out.Nicolai R20 MGU AON EditionYou could win at bike design bingo with the Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition. (photo / Nicolai)Nicolai has never really been a brand that makes conventional bikes. This out-of-the-box approach to bike design is on full display with the R20 MGU AON Edition. According to Nicolai, this bike is the focused execution of a very specific idea: What happens when you equip a proper downhill bike with an e-drive system so it can get back to the start of the next descent under its own power?The R20 MGU is a joint project between Nicolai and Gamux. The two brands/manufacturers both support AON Racing, and have been working together since 2024. The R20s suspension platform is based on the one-of-a-kind Gamux Sego, with its CNC-machined frame, Pinion gearbox, and Gates Carbon Drive belt. Nicolai says the Segos suspension, kinematics, and geometry were carried over to the R20, with its frame integrating the Pinion MGU (Motor.Gearbox.Unit) and Gates Carbon Drive.No shortage of CNC-machined parts on the R20. (photo / Nicolai)R20 MGU AON Edition DetailsAs with most Nicolai bikes, the R20 is a sight to behold. It has a tennis ball yellow aluminum frame comprised of CNC-cut tube sets and precisely TIG-welded by hand. Other parts, like the linkage and the swingarm, have been CNC-machined. It rolls on a mixed wheel setup for a confident front end and more clearance/maneuverability in the rear. Unlike most downhill bikes, the R20 comes with a Manitou Jack G2 dropper for the ride uphill, with a straight seat tube for full insertion for the party back down.SuspensionHigh-pivot, idler, tensioner, Gates carbon belt, MGU, CNC, etc (photo / Nicolai)The R20 is made to be a self-shuttling downhill bike that matches the Gamux Sego raced by AON Racing on the World Cup. As such, it has 200mm of rear wheel travel using a high-pivot suspension design with a single-pivot layout and a linkage-driven shock. Thats paired with the 203mm travel Dorado Pro Silver fork for some high-speed, rock-smashing fun.Nicolai says that the R20s kinematics are sensitive off the top with a continuously progressive leverage curve. It starts off sensitive, support increases through the mid stroke, and theres plenty of progression for big hits and hard compressions deep in the travel.GeometryThe R20 has the geometry of a downhill bike because it is a downhill bike. (photo / Nicolai)Geometry-wise, the R20 is clearly focused on handling, stability, and speed downhill. It has a 63.3 head tube angle for stability, speed, and confidence in steep, rough terrain. Reach numbers increase in 20mm increments up the size range, with 480mm on a Large. Thats paired with a 462mm rear center (all sizes) to create a centered riding position and balanced weight distribution between the front and rear wheel. The comparatively tall front end adds further confidence and control on steep sections.Seat tube angles are barely even a consideration on most downhill bikes, but the R20 is designed to rip back uphill for more laps. As such, it has a steep, 78 seat tube angle and comes with a Manitou Jack G2 dropper post. For maximum freedom of movement on the descent, the dropper can be fully inserted into the frame. The R20 comes in three frame sizes, M, L, and XL.Pinion Motor.Gearbox.UnitThe Pinion MGU E1.12 essentially combines the 12-speed Smart.Shift system with an e-drive system, all of which is housed around the bottom bracket area. This puts the combined weight of the drivetrain and motor low and central on the frame, which aids in stability and composure. This also reduces unsprung mass at the rear wheel, which is claimed to improve suspension response and sensitivity.The Pinion MGU houses the gearbox drivetrain and the e-drive motor in the same unit. Pinion Smart.ShiftUnlike a non-motorized downhill race bike, which might have 6 or 7 gears, the Pinion MGU has 12 to facilitate the uphill travel the R20 is intended for. Pinion Smart.Shift uses the electronic TE1 trigger shifter with intuitive operation and familiar ergonomics. The system has numerous features, including Pre.Select and Start.Select, to help with gear selection and maintain ride flow.Pinion E-DriveThe FIT Master Node display on the Nicolai R20. (photo / Nicolai)Pinions e-drive system has a brushless motor that delivers up to 600 watts of peak power and up to 400% assistance. In gears 1 to 4, it can reportedly generate up to 160Nm of torque at the rear wheel. The FIT Master Node display is integrated into the top tube with a 1.52 color display to monitor key riding metrics. The FIT Remote Pure is a handlebar-mounted unit with a ring-style control to adjust assist levels or system functions.One of the alleged benefits of the MGU is that all of the components work together as a coordinated unit. A wide range of internal sensors continuously measure input torque, motor speed, shift shaft and crank position, cadence, riding speed and additional parameters. The system always knows which gear is engaged and in which riding situation the bike is operating. This enables dynamic power delivery, precise, lightning-fast shifting even under load and an intuitive riding feel with direct feedback.Power SupplyThe R20 works with the latest FIT Tubepack batteries, and riders can choose between 800Wh or 1060Wh (+200 ) capacities. The batteries can be removed for storage or charging off the bike.The R20s high-pivot suspension design necessitates an idler as well as a belt tensioner.Gates Carbon DriveWith the Gates Belted Purse still up for grabs, belt drives are becoming increasingly common on the World Cup DH circuit, and the Gates Carbon Drive is the most common. This carbon-reinforced belt never requires lubrication and is very quiet with no chain slap or derailleur rattle to distract from the action.On the R20, the rearward axle path of the long-travel, high-pivot suspension results in what would be called chain growth on a bike with a regular drivetrain. This requires that the Gates Carbon belt passes over the idler pulley at the swingarm point while the GBT3 Belt Tensioner compensates for the change in length while maintaining tension on the belt.(photo / Nicolai)Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition: BuildFork: Manitou Dorado Pro Silver Edition, 203mmShock: Manitou Mara Pro 250x75mmDrivetrain: Pinion MGU E1.12 w/ Smart.Shift and Gates Carbon DriveDrive Unit: Pinion MGU E1.12Battery: Fit Tubepack 800Wh or 1060Wh (+200 )Brakes: Hayes Dominion A4 w/ 203mm rotorsWheels: Reynolds Blacklabel 307 DH Expert 29/27.5Tires:Front: Schwalbe Magic Mary Gravity Pro Ultrasoft, 29x2.5Rear: Schwalbe Tacky Chan Gravity Pro Ultrasoft, 27.5x2.5Handlebar: ProTaper E50, 31.8mm x 810mm, polished silverStem: ProTaper D-Vice Direct Mount, 31.8mm x 45mm, blackGrips: Rev Grips Half Waffle Pro SeriesSeatpost: Manitou Jack G2, 30.9mmSaddle: Fizik Zea:k X3 TeamYours for a cool 14,999 . (photo / Nicolai)Pricing and AvailabilityThe Nicolai R20 MGU AON Edition electric downhill bike is available now. It retails for 14,999 , with the option to upgrade to the 1060 Wh battery for an additional 200 . It comes with a 5-year warranty against breakage and material failure.nicolai-bicycles.commanitou.hayesbicycle.com

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Sam Bennett (Pinarello Q36.5) finished fifth on the opening stage of the Renewi Tour in Diest on Wednesday, in a sprint won by Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) from Olav Kooij and Tim Merlier.Milan took the 191.3km stage in 4:04:18 with the bunch given the same time, Jasper Philipsen fourth ahead of Bennett. Sam Welsford was sixth and Pavel Bittner seventh.Milan leads the general classification by four seconds from Kooij, with Dries De Bondt third on the same time after taking bonus seconds from the days breakaway. Quinten Hermans is fourth at five seconds and Merlier fifth at six.Vlad Van Mechelen (Bahrain-Victorious) leads the young rider classification and his team head the teams standings.Our RidersThree Irish riders started in Diest. Bennetts fifth place is the standout, and leaves him tenth overall at 10 seconds. Dillon Corkery came home 33rd in the same bunch and is 38th on general classification, also at 10 seconds. Ryan Mullen did not finish.IRLIrish Riders Stage 1Wed 19 August 2026 Diest 191.3km5Sam BENNETTPinarello Q36.5 10th overall, +0:10s.t.33Dillon CORKERYTeam Picnic PostNL 38th overall, +0:10s.t.DNFRyan MULLENNSN Cycling TeamStage 1 ResultStage 1 Result show all 154STGStage 1 ResultRenewi Tour 2026 154 riders1Jonathan MILANLidl Trek4:04:182Olav KOOIJDecathlon CMA CGM Teams.t.3Tim MERLIERSoudal Quick-Steps.t.4Jasper PHILIPSENAlpecin Premier Techs.t.5Sam BENNETTPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Teams.t.6Sam WELSFORDNetcompany INEOSs.t.7Pavel BITTNERTeam Picnic PostNLs.t.8Dylan GROENEWEGENUnibet Rose Rocketss.t.9Arnaud DE LIEXDS Astana Teams.t.10Mike TEUNISSENLotto Intermarchs.t.11Laurence PITHIERed Bull BORA hansgrohes.t.12Marijn VAN DEN BERGEF Education EasyPosts.t.13Vlad VAN MECHELENBahrain Victoriouss.t.14Thibaud GRUELGroupama FDJ Uniteds.t.15Florian VERMEERSCHUAE Team Emirates XRGs.t.16Alessandro BORGOBahrain Victoriouss.t.17Jules HESTERSTeam Flanders Baloises.t.18Biniam GIRMAYNSN Cycling Teams.t.19Tom VAN ASBROECKNSN Cycling Teams.t.20Jon BARRENETXEAMovistar Teams.t.21Aaron GATEXDS Astana Teams.t.22Leander VAN HAUTEGEMTeam Flanders Baloises.t.23Niklas BEHRENSTeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.24ak ERENBahrain Victoriouss.t.25Huub ARTZLotto Intermarchs.t.26Luca MOZZATOTudor Pro Cycling Teams.t.27Robert DONALDSONTeam Jayco AlUlas.t.28Luke LAMPERTIEF Education EasyPosts.t.29Arne MARITRed Bull BORA hansgrohes.t.30Johan JACOBSGroupama FDJ Uniteds.t.31Mick VAN DIJKERed Bull BORA hansgrohes.t.32Jenno BERCKMOESLotto Intermarchs.t.33Dillon CORKERYTeam Picnic PostNLs.t.34Elmar REINDERSUnibet Rose Rocketss.t.35Matteo TRENTINTudor Pro Cycling Teams.t.36Corbin STRONGNSN Cycling Teams.t.37Owain DOULLTeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.38Dries DE BONDTTeam Jayco AlUlas.t.39Daan HOOLEDecathlon CMA CGM Teams.t.40Michiel LAMBRECHTTeam Flanders Baloises.t.41Loe VAN BELLETeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.42Toms SKUJILidl Treks.t.43Tom KOPECKUnibet Rose Rocketss.t.44Maty KOPECKUnibet Rose Rocketss.t.45Mikkel BJERGUAE Team Emirates XRGs.t.46Julius VAN DEN BERGTeam Picnic PostNLs.t.47Alec SEGAERTBahrain Victoriouss.t.48Luk KUBIUnibet Rose Rocketss.t.49Vincent VAN HEMELENTeam Flanders Baloises.t.50Axel HUENSGroupama FDJ Uniteds.t.51Jakob SDERQVISTLidl Treks.t.52Paul LAPEIRADecathlon CMA CGM Teams.t.53Quinten HERMANSPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Teams.t.54Brent VAN MOERPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Teams.t.55Filippo FIORELLITeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.56Kasper ASGREENEF Education EasyPosts.t.57Tim VAN DIJKERed Bull BORA hansgrohes.t.58Kim HEIDUKNetcompany INEOSs.t.59Lorenzo MILESIMovistar Teams.t.60Lionel TAMINIAUXLotto Intermarchs.t.61Pietro MATTIOTeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.62Nico DENZRed Bull BORA hansgrohes.t.63Senne THONNONTeam Flanders Baloises.t.64Robbe GHYSDecathlon CMA CGM Teams.t.65Cees BOLDecathlon CMA CGM Teams.t.66Frederik FRISONPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Teams.t.67Guillaume BOIVINNSN Cycling Teams.t.68Matej MOHORIBahrain Victoriouss.t.69Sren WRENSKJOLDUno-X Mobilitys.t.70William BLUME LEVYUno-X Mobilitys.t.71Menno HUISINGTeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.72Magnus SHEFFIELDNetcompany INEOSs.t.73Lev GONOVXDS Astana Teams.t.74Aim DE GENDTPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Teams.t.75Haimar ETXEBERRIARed Bull BORA hansgrohes.t.76Clment RUSSOGroupama FDJ Uniteds.t.77Kamil MAECKIPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Teams.t.78Carl-Frederik BVORTUno-X Mobilitys.t.79Louis VERVAEKESoudal Quick-Steps.t.80Jonas GEENSAlpecin Premier Techs.t.81Arjen LIVYNSXDS Astana Teams.t.82Siebe DEWEIRDTTeam Flanders Baloises.t.83Sean FLYNNTeam Picnic PostNLs.t.84Michael VALGRENEF Education EasyPosts.t.85Kevin GENIETSGroupama FDJ Uniteds.t.86Timo KIELICHTeam Visma | Lease a Bikes.t.87Samuel WATSONNetcompany INEOSs.t.88Bert VAN LERBERGHESoudal Quick-Steps.t.89Luka MEZGECTeam Jayco AlUlas.t.90Ivn GARCA CORTINAMovistar Teams.t.91Tim MARSMANAlpecin Premier Techs.t.92Albert TORRESMovistar Teams.t.93Sebastian KOLZE CHANGIZITudor Pro Cycling Teams.t.94Sren KRAGH ANDERSENLidl Treks.t.95Jonas Hem HVIDEBERGUno-X Mobilitys.t.96Pepijn REINDERINKSoudal Quick-Steps.t.97Artem SHMIDTNetcompany INEOSs.t.98Tiesj BENOOTDecathlon CMA CGM Teams.t.99Kamil GRADEKBahrain Victoriouss.t.100Rune HERREGODTSUAE Team Emirates XRGs.t.101Markus HOELGAARDUno-X Mobilitys.t.102Filip MACIEJUKMovistar Teams.t.103Taco VAN DER HOORNLotto Intermarchs.t.104Connor SWIFTNetcompany INEOSs.t.105Maikel ZIJLAARDTudor Pro Cycling Teams.t.106Robert STANNARDBahrain Victorious0:42107Joshua GIDDINGSLotto Intermarch0:42108Igor ARRIETAUAE Team Emirates XRG0:56109Nickolas ZUKOWSKYPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:56110Ferre GEERAERTSTeam Flanders Baloise1:18111Hartthijs DE VRIESUnibet Rose Rockets1:18112Maurice BALLERSTEDTAlpecin Premier Tech1:18113Edward THEUNSLidl Trek1:18114Emil HERZOGRed Bull BORA hansgrohe1:32115Julius JOHANSENUAE Team Emirates XRG1:47116Amaury CAPIOTTeam Jayco AlUla1:47117Tim NABERMANTeam Picnic PostNL1:54118Tobias BAYERAlpecin Premier Tech1:58119Davide BALLERINIXDS Astana Team1:58120Manlio MOROMovistar Team1:58121Fabian LIENHARDTudor Pro Cycling Team1:58122Filippo BARONCINIUAE Team Emirates XRG1:58123Storm INGEBRIGTSENUno-X Mobility1:58124Lennert BELMANSAlpecin Premier Tech1:58125Dries DE POOTERTeam Jayco AlUla1:58126Nils EEKHOFFTeam Picnic PostNL1:58127Simone CONSONNILidl Trek1:58128Martin SVREKSoudal Quick-Step1:58129Matteo MILANGroupama FDJ United1:58130Otto VERGAERDELidl Trek1:58131Davide TONEATTIXDS Astana Team*0:00132Gleb SYRITSAXDS Astana Team3:07133Davide FORMOLOMovistar Team3:07134Felix RN-KRISTOFFLotto Intermarch3:07135Bob JUNGELSNetcompany INEOS3:07136Titouan FONTAINEGroupama FDJ United3:07137Dylan VAN BAARLESoudal Quick-Step3:07138Aivaras MIKUTISTudor Pro Cycling Team3:07139Max WALKEREF Education EasyPost3:07140James KNOXTeam Picnic PostNL3:07141Silvan DILLIERAlpecin Premier Tech3:07142Nadav RAISBERGNSN Cycling Team3:07143Luke DURBRIDGETeam Jayco AlUla3:07144Abram STOCKMANUnibet Rose Rockets3:07145Rui OLIVEIRAUAE Team Emirates XRG5:12146Ayco BASTIAENSSoudal Quick-Step5:33147Arvid DE KLEIJNTudor Pro Cycling Team5:59148Pier-Andr CTNSN Cycling Team10:31149Oliver NAESENDecathlon CMA CGM Team11:56150Jonas ABRAHAMSENUno-X Mobility13:30151Mattia AGOSTINACCHIOEF Education EasyPost13:30DNFJelte KRIJNSENTeam Jayco AlUlaDNFRyan MULLENNSN Cycling TeamDNSMadis MIHKELSEF Education EasyPostClassifications After Stage 1General Classification show all 151GCGeneral ClassificationRenewi Tour 2026 151 riders1Jonathan MilanLidl Trek4:04:082Olav KooijDecathlon CMA CGM Team0:043Bondt Dries DeTeam Jayco AlUla0:044Quinten HermansPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:055Tim MerlierSoudal Quick-Step0:066Timo KielichTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:077Lionel TaminiauxLotto Intermarch0:088JasperAlpecin Premier Tech PhilipsenUno-X Mobility0:089Carl-FrederikUno-X Mobility BvortAlpecin Premier Tech0:1010Sam BennettPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:1011Sam WelsfordNetcompany INEOS0:1012Pavel BittnerTeam Picnic PostNL0:1013Dylan GroenewegenUnibet Rose Rockets0:1014Mike TeunissenXDS Astana Team0:1015Lie Arnaud DeLotto Intermarch0:1016Laurence PithieRed Bull BORA hansgrohe0:1017den Berg Marijn vanEF Education EasyPost0:1018Mechelen Vlad VanBahrain Victorious0:1019FlorianUAE Team Emirates XRG VermeerschGroupama FDJ United0:1020ThibaudGroupama FDJ United GruelUAE Team Emirates XRG0:1021Alessandro BorgoBahrain Victorious0:1022Jules HestersTeam Flanders Baloise0:1023Biniam GirmayNSN Cycling Team0:1024Asbroeck Tom VanNSN Cycling Team0:1025Jon BarrenetxeaMovistar Team0:1026Aaron GateXDS Astana Team0:1027Hautegem Leander VanTeam Flanders Baloise0:1028Niklas BehrensTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:1029ak ErenBahrain Victorious0:1030Huub ArtzLotto Intermarch0:1031Luca MozzatoTudor Pro Cycling Team0:1032Robert DonaldsonTeam Jayco AlUla0:1033Luke LampertiEF Education EasyPost0:1034Arne MaritRed Bull BORA hansgrohe0:1035Johan JacobsGroupama FDJ United0:1036Dijke Mick vanRed Bull BORA hansgrohe0:1037Jenno BerckmoesLotto Intermarch0:1038Dillon CorkeryTeam Picnic PostNL0:1039Elmar ReindersUnibet Rose Rockets0:1040Matteo TrentinTudor Pro Cycling Team0:1041Corbin StrongNSN Cycling Team0:1042Owain DoullTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:1043Daan HooleDecathlon CMA CGM Team0:1044Michiel LambrechtTeam Flanders Baloise0:1045Belle Loe vanTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:1046Toms SkujiLidl Trek0:1047Tom KopeckUnibet Rose Rockets0:1048Maty KopeckUnibet Rose Rockets0:1049Mikkel BjergUAE Team Emirates XRG0:1050den Berg Julius vanTeam Picnic PostNL0:1051Alec SegaertBahrain Victorious0:1052Luk KubiUnibet Rose Rockets0:1053Hemelen Vincent VanTeam Flanders Baloise0:1054Axel HuensGroupama FDJ United0:1055Jakob SderqvistLidl Trek0:1056Paul LapeiraDecathlon CMA CGM Team0:1057Moer Brent VanPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:1058Filippo FiorelliTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:1059Kasper AsgreenEF Education EasyPost0:1060Dijke Tim vanRed Bull BORA hansgrohe0:1061Kim HeidukNetcompany INEOS0:1062Lorenzo MilesiMovistar Team0:1063Pietro MattioTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:1064Nico DenzRed Bull BORA hansgrohe0:1065Senne ThonnonTeam Flanders Baloise0:1066Robbe GhysDecathlon CMA CGM Team0:1067Cees BolDecathlon CMA CGM Team0:1068Frederik FrisonPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:1069Guillaume BoivinNSN Cycling Team0:1070Matej MohoriBahrain Victorious0:1071Sren WrenskjoldUno-X Mobility0:1072Levy William BlumeUno-X Mobility0:1073Menno HuisingTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:1074Magnus SheffieldNetcompany INEOS0:1075Lev GonovXDS Astana Team0:1076Gendt Aim DePinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:1077Haimar EtxeberriaRed Bull BORA hansgrohe0:1078Clment RussoGroupama FDJ United0:1079Kamil MaeckiPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:1080Louis VervaekeSoudal Quick-Step0:1081Jonas GeensAlpecin Premier Tech0:1082Arjen LivynsXDS Astana Team0:1083Siebe DeweirdtTeam Flanders Baloise0:1084Sean FlynnTeam Picnic PostNL0:1085Michael ValgrenEF Education EasyPost0:1086Kevin GenietsGroupama FDJ United0:1087Samuel WatsonNetcompany INEOS0:1088Lerberghe Bert VanSoudal Quick-Step0:1089Luka MezgecTeam Jayco AlUla0:1090Cortina Ivn GarcaMovistar Team0:1091Tim MarsmanAlpecin Premier Tech0:1092Albert TorresMovistar Team0:1093Changizi Sebastian KolzeTudor Pro Cycling Team0:1094Andersen Sren KraghLidl Trek0:1095Jonas Hem HvidebergUno-X Mobility0:1096Pepijn ReinderinkSoudal Quick-Step0:1097Artem ShmidtNetcompany INEOS0:1098Tiesj BenootDecathlon CMA CGM Team0:1099Kamil GradekBahrain Victorious0:10100Rune HerregodtsUAE Team Emirates XRG0:10101Markus HoelgaardUno-X Mobility0:10102Filip MaciejukMovistar Team0:10103der Hoorn Taco vanLotto Intermarch0:10104Connor SwiftNetcompany INEOS0:10105Maikel ZijlaardTudor Pro Cycling Team0:10106Davide ToneattiXDS Astana Team0:10107Robert StannardBahrain Victorious0:52108Joshua GiddingsLotto Intermarch0:52109Igor ArrietaUAE Team Emirates XRG1:06110Nickolas ZukowskyPinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team1:06111Ferre GeeraertsTeam Flanders Baloise1:28112Vries Hartthijs deUnibet Rose Rockets1:28113Maurice BallerstedtAlpecin Premier Tech1:28114Edward TheunsLidl Trek1:28115Emil HerzogRed Bull BORA hansgrohe1:42116Julius JohansenUAE Team Emirates XRG1:57117Amaury CapiotTeam Jayco AlUla1:57118Tim NabermanTeam Picnic PostNL2:04119Tobias BayerAlpecin Premier Tech2:08120Davide BalleriniXDS Astana Team2:08121Manlio MoroMovistar Team2:08122Fabian LienhardTudor Pro Cycling Team2:08123Filippo BaronciniUAE Team Emirates XRG2:08124Storm IngebrigtsenUno-X Mobility2:08125Lennert BelmansAlpecin Premier Tech2:08126Pooter Dries DeTeam Jayco AlUla2:08127Nils EekhoffTeam Picnic PostNL2:08128Simone ConsonniLidl Trek2:08129Martin SvrekSoudal Quick-Step2:08130Matteo MilanGroupama FDJ United2:08131Otto VergaerdeLidl Trek2:08132Gleb SyritsaXDS Astana Team3:17133Davide FormoloMovistar Team3:17134Felix rn-KristoffLotto Intermarch3:17135Bob JungelsNetcompany INEOS3:17136Titouan FontaineGroupama FDJ United3:17137Baarle Dylan vanSoudal Quick-Step3:17138Aivaras MikutisTudor Pro Cycling Team3:17139Max WalkerEF Education EasyPost3:17140James KnoxTeam Picnic PostNL3:17141Silvan DillierAlpecin Premier Tech3:17142Nadav RaisbergNSN Cycling Team3:17143Luke DurbridgeTeam Jayco AlUla3:17144Abram StockmanUnibet Rose Rockets3:17145Rui OliveiraUAE Team Emirates XRG5:22146Ayco BastiaensSoudal Quick-Step5:43147Kleijn Arvid deTudor Pro Cycling Team6:09148Pier-Andr CtNSN Cycling Team10:41149Oliver NaesenDecathlon CMA CGM Team12:06150Jonas AbrahamsenUno-X Mobility13:40151Mattia AgostinacchioEF Education EasyPost13:40YTHYoung Rider ClassificationRenewi Tour 2026 12 riders1Mechelen Vlad VanBahrain Victorious4:04:182Thibaud GruelGroupama FDJ United0:003Alessandro BorgoBahrain Victorious0:004ak ErenBahrain Victorious0:005Pietro MattioTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:006Menno HuisingTeam Visma | Lease a Bike0:007Artem ShmidtNetcompany INEOS0:008Emil HerzogRed Bull BORA hansgrohe1:329Storm IngebrigtsenUno-X Mobility1:5810Felix rn-KristoffLotto Intermarch3:0711Titouan FontaineGroupama FDJ United3:0712Mattia AgostinacchioEF Education EasyPost13:30TEAMTeams ClassificationRenewi Tour 2026 22 riders1Bahrain Victorious12:12:542Lotto Intermarch0:003Red Bull BORA hansgrohe0:004NSN Cycling Team0:005Team Flanders Baloise0:006Unibet Rose Rockets0:007Team Picnic PostNL0:008Decathlon CMA CGM Team0:009Lidl Trek0:0010Groupama FDJ United0:0011EF Education EasyPost0:0012Team Visma | Lease a Bike0:0013XDS Astana Team0:0014Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team0:0015Netcompany INEOS0:0016Tudor Pro Cycling Team0:0017Team Jayco AlUla0:0018UAE Team Emirates XRG0:0019Movistar Team0:0020Soudal Quick-Step0:0021Alpecin Premier Tech0:0022Uno-X Mobility0:00

Decathlon CMA CGM have taken an important step in securing the long-term of their sporting ambitions, tying down a young climber to a new deal until 2030.Lo Bisiaux has committed his future to the team he made his breakthrough at junior and development ranks. An exciting climber who has already fe...

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An island, two bikes cut from the same metal but built nothing alike. Both titanium, both claiming to be the one bike for life. One leans on classic welds and a laid-back all-mountain attitude, the other on 3D-printed components and an unmistakable urge to push on. Are these hardtail heroes defending the throne of a fading kingdom, or are they the gravel bikes of the future?Clash of the Titans: Falkenjagd Hoplit RS | from 7,005 vs. Falkenjagd Hoplit RSR | from 7,225 | Manufacturer website Act 1: Hardtail vs GravelCyprus, somewhere in the Akamas Mountains, not far from the Baths of Aphrodite Falkenjagd Hoplit RS: Tell me, what are we actually doing here? Falkenjagd Hoplit RSR: On this trail? No, here. In this drop-bar magazine. Far below, a wave crashes against the shore. Maybe this is where we belong. Silence. Look down. At the waves? At your handlebars. Titanium. So? And what else? Flat bar. See where Im going with this? Flat versus drop bars. Hardtail versus gravel. Titanium dream machine versus some resin-soaked carbon fi Dont start with the carbon gravel bike bashing again. A gravel bike rattles down the fire road. Sharp impacts echo through its narrow rims. Then silence returns. Were hardtails. Icons of the cycling world. We were crossing the Alps before the gravel MAMILs were even toddling around in their Pas Normal nappies. And now were supposed to appear in a publication that celebrates mutated road bikes with a measly 50 mm of tire clearance? Who do you think we are? I think were the better gravel bikes. Act 2: Ambition vs RealityA warm breeze drifts in from the sea. Deep ruts scar the trail. Did you see how I saved that? I did. 120 mm of suspension travel, 2.4-inch tires and four-piston brakes. Id love to see those drop-bar boys picking their way down here on their gravel bikes. Ha. Oh no, a rock hit my carbon frame and I forgot to put a protective film on first. Ha ha. Or theyll start asking for 32-inch wheels. Boo hoo. Im glad Im not a gravel bike. Silence. I quite like gravel, actually. Silence. So what does gravel mean to you? Freedom. Thats a big word. The bike should never be more important than the experiences it allows me to have. A shiny hero: with its 3D-printed titanium elements and polished finish, the Falkenjagd Hoplit RSR is the kind of bike that will still be turning heads in 20 years time. I think gravel takes itself rather seriously. Gravel means having one bike for everything. Aero gravel bikes, race gravel bikes, adventure gravel bikes, expedition gravel bikes. Doesnt that rather give the game away? Sooner or later you end up with a road bike or a hardtail? Silence. (quietly) They have stolen everything. What? THEY STOLE IT!!! Tubeless tires, wide-range cassettes, direct-mount derailleurs, 1x drivetrains, dropper posts and now even suspension forks. Theyve stolen all our good ideas. Pause. And now theyre stealing the bad ones too! 32-inch wheels? Pfff. A marketing gimmick that just won a stage at the Cape Epic. A marketing gimmick with a cracking sales pitch. Luckily, nobody around here knows what the Cape Epic is anyway. Its the Tour de France of mountain biking. And a stage was won on a 32-inch bike. Now there are 32-inch gravel bikes lining up at Unbound too. Where? Doesnt matter. It doesnt fit your idea of how things should be and it doesnt fit any existing standard either. 32 inches means new axle standards, a huge cassette range, a significant weight penalty in tires and rims, toe overlap and a lot more complexity in frame design but it also rolls over obstacles far more easily and adds a huge amount of rotating mass in the worst possible place. At the very edge of the wheel. By the time youve accelerated a 32-inch wheel to 30 km/h, therell already be another wheel standard to replace it. The Hoplits just laugh at 50 mm of tire clearance. Is the hardtail the better gravel bike? Ten years ago, you were saying exactly the same thing about 29ers. Just take a look at your front wheel now. Fair enough. But 29 wheels work for everyone. Thirty-twos dont. Anyone under 1.80 m will need a different wheel size anyway. Before you know it, were drowning in standards and everythings more complicated and more expensive. Innovation is what keeps this industry alive. And its whats killing it. Somewhere in the distance, a disc brake squeals. If thats your hardtail philosophy, its no wonder youre headed for extinction. What nobody wants is manufacturers desperately chasing short-term demand with gimmicky innovations, only to turn expensive bikes into disposable products a few years down the line. For your birthday, Ill buy you rim brakes. You were the one who said its all about the experience. Sure, but its also about the excitement of something new. Of course youd say that LOOK OUT! Gravel flies. Sand sprays.Classic tubing and a matte finish meet 3D-printed junctions and polished surfaces.The Falkenjagd Prometheus CNC-machined titanium crank complements the Hoplit RSR perfectly.Act 3 Titanium vs TitaniumA wooden cross watches over the sea. Rocks, sand, a blood-red sun. You alright? Ill survive. Youve got a scratch. Itll polish out. Titanium, eh. If that had happened to a carbon frame wed be binning it by now. Both laugh.A touch of eternity: minor scratches simply polish out of titanium. What where you saying there before? What? Of course youd say that. Forget it. Not a chance. I was just thinking about those 3D-printed bits of yours. Youre one of those innovative types. Dynamic, actually. Fast. Focused Do you know what makes a great off-road bike? I know youre about to tell me. It has to be forgiving. Distractions. Bad line choices. Riding over your head. And titanium forgives. Its supple and stiff at the same time, with that subtle titanium spring to it. Compliance. A frame that feels alive. A frame for life. Cant argue with that. Hmm. What? Are you saying Im not forgiving? Silence. Somewhere in the distance, a derailleur clatters.Both bikes are exceptionally well-rounded machines. Side by side, the Hoplit RSR feels just a touch more eager.Classic welded craftsmanship meets 3D-printed innovation.The differenceslie in the junctions. Fair enough. The 3D-printed bits are nice and all, but youre stripping away the very thing that makes a titanium frame special. Which is? That it looks like a steel frame. That it lets the welds do the talking. That its done. Nothing left to prove. Nowhere to evolve to? That its minimalist. Purposeful. Optimised around the way forces flow through the frame. Those chunky transitions between your 3D-printed parts and the drawn tubes add stiffness where nobody asked for it. I call that precision. I call it stupidity. Thats a design philosophy. Stupidity? No. Precision. I want feedback. From the trail. The roots. The race course. I want stability when things get fast and somewhere to bolt on a pannier rack. Seriously? For someone who keeps talking about a frame for life, youre surprisingly offended by a few mounting points. A frame for life shouldnt be a fashion statement in the first place. Titanium is subtle. No gimmicks. No attention-seeking. Just quiet confidence. Theres probably more engineering in my left chainstay than in some complete aero bikes. Thats not exactly subtle It is, because every bit of it serves a purpose. The tube profile changes from tall oval to wide oval to square. The butting is tailored to the load paths. The contact areas at the junctions are maximised. None of its there for show. Thats framebuilding. Thats only one side of titanium, though. With that attitude, youre denying it the chance to evolve. What you call a trend is the future of titanium frame design. A future where titanium frames look like carbon frames? A future where 3D printing is used where it actually makes sense. Flower vases, for example. At the junctions. Where different tubes and tube profiles come together. Its clean, its stiff, and it allows exactly the kind of flowing lines youre always banging on about. Hmph. CNC-machined dropouts and a four-piston post-mount brake on the Hoplit RS.3D-printed junctions and a two-piston flat-mount brake on the Hoplit RSR. Have you actually looked at my down tube? What am I supposed to see? Nothing. Nothing? Thats the point. Its perfectly straight. Well, good luck with that when your fork crown smacks into the frame halfway through a switchback. It doesnt. Because as a cross-country racer and part-time gravel bike, you never ride proper trails? Because the 3D-printed head tube creates the clearance for a straight down tube. And take a look at the chainstay. What do you see? Nothing again? Other side, you muppet. Ever heard of load paths and stress risers? Ah, the flat-mount brake. Trying to be a bit aero, are we? Look at me, Im an aero hardtail Im talking about the clean lines and the elegant silhouette. A classic 3/2.5 titanium tube flows into a 3D-printed 6/4 titanium section. Press-fit, welded, then machined smooth. Youre seriously trying to lecture me about chainstays? If anyone knows chainstays, its A gravel bike comes to a halt in the sand. Sorry, could you tell me which way is back up? Er that way. Cheers. Bye! Pause. Silence. Come on. Lets catch him. After you. Falkenjagd Hoplit RSThe HOPLIT was Falkenjagds very first bike. More than almost any other model in the range, it embodies the brands philosophy of building the bikes they want to ride themselves. Trail riding, cross-country racing, Alpine crossings, the latest HOPLIT RS remains a classic do-it-all hardtail.At first glance, the tube set looks reassuringly familiar. Look closer, though, and youll see the titanium expertise Falkenjagd have built up over the past 25 years. Drawn tubes with carefully varied profiles, diameters and wall thicknesses manage load paths, reduce stress risers and keep frame weight in check. Fully integrated cable routing and either bead-blasted or brushed finishes reinforce the bikes timeless character.The geometry is designed to work with 110 to 130 mm of suspension travel and the frame clears tires up to 2.4 inches wide. Combined with a slacker head angle than the HOPLIT RSR, the result is the more relaxed and forgiving bike of the two. Our test bike also came fitted with a comfortable riser bar.The HOPLIT RS doesnt try to grab your attention. It isnt a tech showcase, a revolution or the latest trend. Instead, Falkenjagd demonstrate just how relevant a classically welded titanium hardtail can still be. And thats exactly why this is the sort of bike that could stay with you for a very long time.Framebuilding at its finest: the Falkenjagd Hoplit RS has everything a bike for life needs.Falkenjagd Hoplit RSRThe HOPLIT RSR takes the classic titanium hardtail in a different direction. Where the HOPLIT RS prioritises versatility and long-distance comfort, the RSR is all about speed and intent. Cross-country racing, fast singletrack, adventure racing: with its low system weight and impressive lateral stiffness, the HOPLIT RSR feels just as at home in gravel territory as it does on the trail.It has clearance for tires up to 2.3 inches wide, up to 120 mm of suspension travel, and plenty of mounting points for bags and racks. The geometry also differs slightly from the HOPLIT RS. A steeper head angle adds even more agility, while the short chainstays make for quick, light-footed handling on tight trails.The biggest difference, however, lies in the 3D-printed components. The head tube, the junction between the seatstays and top tube, and the dropouts with their rear axle interface are all 3D printed from 6/4 titanium and joined to the drawn, butted main tubes via welded sleeve connections. The result is additional stiffness, but above all a fluid, organic look that feels more sci-fi prototype than traditional titanium hardtail. On our brief trail ride, we couldnt detect any loss of the subtle ride damping that titanium is known for, despite the stiffer transition areas.The HOPLIT RSR proves that titanium is more than a playground for weld nerds. Beyond butted tubes and carefully shaped profiles, there is still plenty of room for innovation. 3D printing is not inherently better, lighter, cheaper or more expensive. What it does offer is a whole new set of possibilities when it comes to frame design and customisation.Innovative engineering for a timeless look: 3D printing opens up new paths to permanence.ConclusionThis clash of the titanium titans produces no single winner. What it crowns instead is an idea: the hardtail. For anyone chasing adventure beyond the hardpack mainstream, a lightweight hardtail might be the most capable gravel bike on offer. Racing, touring, ultracycling, the classic mountain bike still does it all. Built from titanium, it might even be the bike for life.Der Beitrag Hoplit vs Hoplit: hardtail heroes or gravel titans? erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.