Caja Rural get the last wildcard invite to the Tour de France and the Unibet Rose Rockets are left out. Its a surprise but once you look at the trend it shouldnt be a shock.Q36.5, Tudor and Cofidis all take up their automatic invitations. Which leaves two places. TotalEnergies always felt like a certainty for one of the last two spots. They had a top-10 on GC thanks to Jordan Jegat last summer, a stage win the year before; the team isnt just French its got a local identity from the Vende including political backing; Jean-Ren Bernaudeau talks a good game, they need the lifeline for a team needing a replacement sponsor and new for this year Total also becomes a partner sponsor of the Tour. They were always going to get an invite.The controversy comes with Caja Rural vs. the Unibet Rose Rockets. Now Caja Rural are Spanish and the Barcelona grand dpart helped but even Spanish TV commentary filling the time while Remco Evenepoel was away solo in todays Challenge Majorca race evoked una polmica.In a statement to AFP Tour boss Christian Prudhomme cited the UCI rankings with the Spanish team in 25th spot ahead of the Rockets in 2026th. But this is far from an iron rule. At random lets take 2020 when Vital Concept was picked while it was in lurking in 26th place on the UCI tables and while teams like Delko, Wanty and Uno-X were ranked higher but left out.Neither Caja Rural nor the Rockets feature a must have rider. The Rockets have Dylan Groenewegen is 32 while Cajas sprinter is Fernando Gaviria aged 31. Victor Lafay could be a great signing for the Rockets and has one of best power-weight ratios in the peloton on 5-10 minute climbs, see how only he surged up the Cte de Pike on the way to Bilbao in th the Tour de Frances opening stage and only Pogaar and Vinegaard could follow but he has struggled to follow-up with injuries so right now its hard to count on him. The Rockets Luk Kubi almost made this blogs Riders to Watch but as a crafty rider in smaller races rather than someone likely to win at the Tour; similarly Caja Rural have Abel Balderstone, the Spanish TT champion the course was uphill who finished a creditable 13th in the last Vuelta. Again some prospects but nobody incontournable as Prudhomme might say.Prudhomme also said the Rockets dont lean into their French identity much. They switched from Dutch to French as a flag of convenience to avoid a gambling sponsorship ban in the Netherlands and their French address is a corporate mailbox rather than a service course HQ. But theyve been regulars in the Coupe de France series at a time when Decathlon and Groupama-FDJ have been grumbling about their obligation to race these smaller events, and even hiring last years winner Clment Venturini as well as taking on French neo-pros. If they need to be more French perhaps the Rockets next video could have them in hi-viz riding a tractor to ASOs offices to beat the office doors down with stale baguettes?The Rockets selling point is communication and they quickly produce videos to share content in an age when many teams still issue text press releases. Its refreshing and should encourage other teams to interact more with their fan base but its not a big swing factor; the Tour will hardly get extra coverage. The old Vital Concept/B&B Hotels did this before too anyone remember the video announcing the signing of Pierre Rolland involving a aircraft and a beach? It has gone down with the team but it didnt help. Again having star riders likely to shape the race and add to the show makes the big difference.Nevermind JulyIf youre surprised but the news today, look beyond the Tour. Because the Rockets have not got invitations to ASOs other races either. Paris-Nice? Non. Lige-Bastogne-Lige and the Flche Wallonne? Non plus. The Dauphin Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes? Rien. The Volta a Catalunya? No senyor. Theres no news on Paris-Roubaix yet and maybe they get one here after taking part last year. For a team that wants to convince ASO there are few chances to put on a show under their noses. It feels different to the way ASO nurtured the likes of NetApp or Uno-X too; even if Uno-X didnt get a Caja Rural-style boost when the Tour opened in Copenhagen in 2022.In the meantime Caja Rural have an invite to the Dauphin, Lige, Flche and Catalunya and have been assiduously starting other ASO races like the Tour of Oman and the Al Ula Tour on right now. Once you start to see this the wildcard choice might be debatable on sporting terms but the Spanish team has cultivated a rapport with ASO that the Rockets hasnt begun yet.Meanwhile in SpainThe Vuelta invites are out today and here Kern Pharma and Burgos-Burgpellet-BH are invited as the race rotates its domestic teams and obviously Caja Rural being left out is less of a blow since theyll be on TV in July.Meanwhile in ItalyTheres no news on the Giro invitations despite the start being less than 100 days away. Towns are illumating landmarks in pink but we dont know all the teams that will take part.With Cofidis reportedly declining to take up their invitation this would leave three places. Bardiani and Polti-Malta arecertainties but the remaining place? Theres been talk of a Spanish team but equally the Rockets could slot in here and for a relatively new team a grand tour debut here could be a more patient route. Perhaps theyve even agreed this already and so it suits everyone as two consecutive grand tours would be too much? A plausible hypothesis for a few seconds. But given the Tour can generate 70-80% of a teams media exposure the theory doesnt hold. Still the team can hope for an invitation in May.ConclusionLast month Paris-Nice only invited TotalEnergies when it could have taken another team. This gave us a clue for the Rockets. Thats not hindsight, loyal readers will have read their chances of a Tour wildcard went from very likely to probably. Since then their chances got slimmer with no other invites from ASO. Only yesterday they were left out of the Dauphin.Caja Rural getting the last invite ahead of the Rockets is a surprise but step back and look at the trend of zero invites for the Franco-Dutch team and it should not be a shock, more so as its the Spanish team that has kept benefitting from wildcards to the Ardennes and Dauphin.Which ProTeam does this or that isnt big news, neither Caja Rural nor Rockets would turn the tables at the Tour. But there is interest as it involves choices. With the top-18 WorldTeams acting as settled franchises as long as they can find enough funding, the second tier has more room for sporting appeal, rankings, communication, identity and other subjective criteria.Well see for the Giro, the Rockets could still get a start. And looking ahead theres every chance theyll be at the Tour in 2027 because if Total Energies takes a place this year theres no news on a replacement title sponsor and so the French squad may not be around next year.The post Tour de France Wildcards first appeared on The Inner Ring.

CyclistUCI Cyclocross World Championships 2026: Our form guideThe Cyclocross World Championships take place in Hulst from 30th January to 1st February. The Netherlands Mathieu van der Poel and Lucinda Brand are coming in hot having dominated their cyclocross seasons, with Van der Poel looking set to make history as the man with the most rainbow jerseys.To check out the course, check out our full preview. Here well go through the top contenders for the elite mens and womens races, analysing their form coming into Worlds.Elite WomenLucinda Brand (Netherlands)Gaetan FlammeLucinda Brand has been the woman to beat during this cyclocross campaign so much so that she won a whopping 18 times. Her most dominating wins came at Namur and Niel with gaps of 43 seconds and 47 seconds respectively. The Dutchwoman has a penchant for breaking away with such ferocity that no one can match her speed let alone overtake her.Only five people managed this season: Sara Casasola (Italy) at Overijse, Inge van der Heijden (Netherlands) at the European Championships, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Netherlands) at Zonhoven and the Netherlands National Championships, and Puck Pieterse (Netherlands) at Maasmechelen. Half of these come from her compatriots, but its hard to look past Brand for her second World Championship title even after she failed to reach the top step at the European or National Championships.That doesnt mean itll be impossibie to beat her. At least years World Championships, she finished second behind Fem van Empel in a top four lockout of Dutch riders. Van Empel isnt riding this time having put her career on pause. A blip on Brands results sheet recently comes from her tenth place at Maasmechelen, which ended her impressive streak of 63 consecutive podiums stretching over two years.Brand has her eyes on the prize for a potential first cyclocross rainbow jersey since 2021.Lucinda BrandAge: 36Elite Worlds participations: 9Best World Championships finish: 1st (2021)Wins in 2025/26: 18 2025/26 last five results 10th: World Cup Maasmechelen1st: World Cup Benidorm3rd: Netherlands National Championships2nd: World Cup Zonhoven1st: X2O Badkamers GP Sven NysPuck Pieterse (Netherlands)Billy Ceusters/Getty ImagesWhen does a rising star stop rising? Puck Pieterse is only 23 years of age but has been a force to be reckoned with for a while. Shes won three times this season at Diegem, Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide, the latter two coming in her last two races prior to the World Championships, so shes peaking at the right time.After winning the U23 title in 2022, she has consistently podiumed in the elite World Championships with a second place in 2023 and third places in 2024 and 2025. Its looking likely shell continue this streak.Puck PieterseAge: 23Elite Worlds participations: 3Best World Championships finish: 2nd (2023)Wins in 2025/26: 32025/26 last five results 1st: World Cup Hoogerheide1st: World Cup Maasmechelen2nd: Netherlands National Championships3rd: World Cup Zonhoven2nd: X2O Badkamers GP Sven NysCeylin del Carmen Alvarado (Netherlands)UCI CyclocrossCeylin del Carmen Alvarado began 2026 with a bang, winning three consecutive races at Mol, Zonhoven and the Dutch National Championships. Despite coming just short of the top step in the following two races in the run up to the World Championships, she did race to a close second behind winners Brand and Pieterse.Ceylin del Carmen AlvaradoAge: 27Elite Worlds participations: 6Best World Championships finish: 1st (2020)Wins in 2025/26: 3 2025/26 last five results 2nd: World Cup Maasmechelen2nd: World Cup Benidorm1st: Netherlands National Championships1st: World Cup Zonhoven1st: ZilvermeercrossAmandine Fouquenet (France)UCI CyclocrossIt feels as though 2025/26 has been a breakthrough year for Amandine Fouquenet, with more races, more podiums and her first wins outside of France. The 24-year-old claimed a big victory at Heusden-Zolder and run of form late this season has been incredible, with seven podiums out of a possible eight after that victory, and the other a near miss in fourth. It coincides with her having to find a new contract after the collapse of Arka-B&B Hotels, with Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouwscooping her up.Amandine FouquenetAge: 24Elite Worlds participations: 2Best World Championships finish: 10th (2025)Wins in 2025/26: 32025/26 last five results 3rd: Hoogerheide3rd: World Cup Maasmechelen3rd: World Cup Benidorm2nd: France National Championships4th: World Cup ZonhovenZoe Bckstedt (Great Britain)British Cycling21-year-old Zoe Bckstedt is kicking things up a notch with a participation in the womens elite field after sidestepping the option to go for a three-peat in the U23 race. Last year, the Welsh rider broke clear on the very first lap to storm to a second consecutive rainbow jersey in the age group event by 39sec ahead of Luxembourgs Marie Schreiber.The news of her stepping up to the elite race comes after an impressive fourth place at Hoogerheide, and begins another exciting chapter in a career littered with accolades, including junior and U23 World championships in both cyclocross and road. She has already claimed her first senior medal with gold in the mixed team relay at the 2025 Worlds.Zoe BckstedtAge: 21Elite Worlds participations: 0Best World Championships finish: N/A (2x 1st U23, 1x 1st Junior)Wins in 2025/26: 02025/26 last five results 4th: Hoogerheide8th: World Cup Maasmechelen10th: World Cup Benidorm10th: World Cup Zonhoven5th: Superprestige GullegemOther riders to watchShirin van Anrooij (Netherlands)Inge van der Heijden (Netherlands)Blanka Vas (Hungary)Sara Casasola (Italy) Related Posts UCI Cyclocross World Championships 2026 preview Pro Log: Vingegaard crashes in training; Vine wins Tour Down Under with fractured wrist; Strade Bianche reduces gravel sectors Cycling history in 6 items in the Vandystadt Collection 'There was never pressure to be in cycling, it was just what I wanted to do': Zoe Bckstedt interview Elite MenMathieu van der Poel (Netherlands)Gaetan FlammeMathieu van der Poel has been unstoppable this season. Victorious in 12 of the 12 races he entered, the flying Dutchman looks locked in to win an eighth Cyclocross World Championship. If he does so, hell make history by surpassing the record of seven he currently shares with Erik De Vlaeminckto stand alone.Van der Poel has hardly put a pedal wrong despite all thrown at him. Perhaps the race that defines his level-headedness among chaos the most came at the MaasmechelenWorld Cup, where he navigated two punctures to win a record-equalling 50 World Cup races.Mathieu van der PoelAge: 31Elite Worlds participations: 10Best World Championships finish: 1st (2015, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025)Wins in 2025/26: 122025/26 last five results 1st: Hoogerheide1st: World Cup Maasmechelen1st: World Cup Benidorm1st: World Cup Zonhoven1st: ZilvermeercrossTibor Del Grosso (Netherlands) Luc Claessen/Getty ImagesTibor Del Grosso was the rider to get the closest to Van der Poel this season, finishing second by three seconds at the Maasmechelen World Cup. He gave spectators a rare sight too by leading the pack as Van der Poel dealt with his punctures.The 22-year-old scored three victories in Heusden-Zolder, Diegem and the Dutch National Championships, none of which Van der Poel participated in. It will be a big challenge to overhaul the main favourite, but the two-time Dutch champion is in with a strong chance of being on the podium, already amassing two U23 World Championship titles (one of which came just last year).Tibor Del GrossoAge: 22Elite Worlds participations: 0Best World Championships finish: N/A (2x 1st U23)Wins in 2025/26: 32025/26 last five results 2nd: Hoogerheide2nd: World Cup Maasmechelen4th: World Cup Benidorm1st: Netherlands National Championships2nd: World Cup ZonhovenThibau Nys (Belgium)Billy Ceusters/Getty ImagesThibau Nys was always built for greatness, having grown up in cyclocross watching his dad Sven Nys dominating the sport. He made his mark early, winning the junior National, European and World Championship titles in 2020. Since then, he has gone on to win the 2023 U23 World Championship and his first elite title at the 2024 European Championship before scooping up six wins this season at Oudenaarde, Hamme, Tabor, Flamanville, Dendermonde and the Belgian Champs. He only just lost out on defending his European title with a close second place to Toon Aerts.His last races at Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide resulted in two finishes just off the podium behind Van der Poel, Del Grosso and Niels Vandeputte.Thibau NysAge: 23Elite Worlds participations: 2Best World Championships finish: 3rd (2025)Wins in 2025/26: 62025/26 last five results 4th: Hoogerheide4th: World Cup Maasmechelen2nd: World Cup Benidorm1st: Belgium National Championships19th: World Cup ZonhovenNiels Vandeputte (Belgium)UCI CyclocrossLike many on this list, Niels Vandeputte is a podium regular. He has claimed three wins and amassed 11 podiums this season, picking up steam with third places in his last two races at Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide.He is yet to hit the podium at a World Championships however, finishing 14th last year in Livin by over three and a half minutes.Niels VandeputteAge: 25Elite Worlds participations: 3Best World Championships finish: 7th (2023)Wins in 2025/26: 32025/26 last five results 3rd: Hoogerheide3rd: World Cup Maasmechelen5th: World Cup Benidorm3rd: Cyclocross Otegem4th: Belgium National ChampionshipsFelipe Orts (Spain)BelgaIts unfortunate for Felipe Orts that the World Championships wont be in Spain, because the 30-year-old thrives on home turf three of his four wins this season have come in Spanish races. He hasnt quite put it together at World Championships in the past, with his top result at the elite level a tenth in 2024. Theres time to turn it around, but this might not be the year.Felipe OrtsAge: 30Elite Worlds participations: 8Best World Championships finish: 10th (2024)Wins in 2025/26: 42025/26 last five results 6th: Hoogerheide5th: World Cup Maasmechelen3rd: World Cup Benidorm1st: Spain National Championships8th: World Cup ZonhovenOther riders to watchToon Arts (Belgium)Joris Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands)Michael Vanthourenhout (Belgium)The post UCI Cyclocross World Championships 2026: Our form guide appeared first on Cyclist.

In modern cycling, innovation rarely fails because it lacks logic. More often, it fails because the sport is not ready to let go of what it has always done. That tension sits at the heart of the debate sparked this winter by Tadej Pogacar, whose call to reshuffle the Grand Tour calendar has exposed...

Jonas Vingegaards fan-related training crash in Spain has continued to frame a wider discussion inside the peloton, not only around boundaries and safety but around something more fundamental to cycling itself: accessibility. After earlier reactions focused on frustration and respect amid increasi...

A project starting construction and forming part of the Swords to Malahide active travel route will include two pedestrian and cyclist-friendly roundabouts.The Dutch-like roundabouts are to be installed on Seatown Road in Swords at its junction with the Swords Business Park (pictured above), and at the coastal end of the road where the road meets Estuary Road (pictured below).The roundabouts provide separate space for pedestrians, cycle path users, and carragway users. Motorists must yield to people using zebra and cycling crossings.The project is just around 800 metres long, but is planned to link in with the project planned for the former Swords bypass. The old bypass has long been bypassed by the M1, but the old national route causes significant severance for potential walking and cycling trips between residential areas, employment areas and the town centre. On the Seatown Road project, cycle paths are being installed by reallocating space from extra-wide traffic lanes and some grassed areas. Drawings provided by the council outline how the 2 metre wide cycle path will generally be separated from the carriageway by a grass buffer, and that the cycle paths are to be separated from the footpath by a forgiving kerb. The project will also include significant pedestrian improvments inclluding zebra crossings on all arms of the roundabouts and raised crossings on side roads.On its project page, Fingall County Council said that the route is needed to make Seatown Road safer for everyone, particularly those walking and cycling, we are proposing cycle lanes, traffic calming and road layout improvements from the entrance to Seatown Road at Seatown Roundabout to the roundabout at the junction with Estuary Road.Fingal County Council is proposing changes to reduce traffic speed and improve road safety along Seatown Road, particularly for people walking or travelling by bike by upgrading and extending existing cycle lanes along this full road length, the council said.It added: Whether you are heading to sport, travelling to the shops, or commuting, cycling and walking are free, healthy, and environmentally friendly ways to travel. The proposed works are in line with a vision for active and sustainable travel that contributes to safer routes to school, supports better mental and physical health, and protects our climate by reducing carbon emissions.A construction update on the councils website indicates that traffic management will be erected on Estuary Road next Tuesday to facilitate the site compound setup, with two-way traffic maintained. From later in the week, a shuttle system will be in place on Seatown Road to facilitate the installation of road barriers and line markings.It is understood that the council is also looking at advancing a plan for a safe cycle route on Estuary Road to link to Malahide.Council officials told a public consultation event last year that the Seatown Road project would be designed to tie into future routes at both ends of the road.MORE:Contract Drawings Proposed LayoutsContract Drawings Detailed Cross Sections

Former World Tour pro turned KOM hunter, YouTube, and social media star, Phil Gaimon, just reclaimed the KOM on Mauna Kea. On the Big Island of Hawaii, the Mauna Kea climb is considered one of the toughest road climbs in the world, ascending 13,762 vertical feet over 55.59 miles from sea level to the observatories on the summit. Gaimon, who has been posting updates from Hawaii for the past week or so, announced the success of his KOM attempt yesterday, on his 40th Birthday. On Gaimons Instagram (@philgaimon) yesterday, he announced his KOM, saying, NOT BAD FOR AN OLD MAN. WORST 40TH BIRTHDAY EVER video coming soon (today is my actual birthday). The post included a screenshot of his effort and the new leaderboard. He put down a blistering time of 4:34:10, beating the existing KOM by over nine minutes. Also visible is the new State Carbon Aero road bike that he teased when he announced he was changing sponsors earlier this month. Apparently, the new bike is pretty quick. View this post on Instagram This Mauna Kea KOM is actually Phils third time atop the leaderboard. Near the beginning of his retirement, Gaimon set the KOM in 2016 with a time of 4:59:19 and held it for seven years. After it was taken from him by Larry Warbasse in late 2023, Gaimon returned to the Big Island and reclaimed the KOM in early 2024 with a time of 4:52:55. In April of last year, a cyclist who goes by elevin 11 on Strava claimed the top spot by nine minutes. It was just a matter of time until Gaimon returned to Mauna Kea to take back the crown, an impressive feat that he accomplished just two days ago. The latest Mauna Kea leaderboard.The majority of the Mauna Kea climb is paved, but after the visitors center, the road turns to gravel for a significant and steep stretch. In the short Instagram video below, it appears Phil rode the new State Carbon Aero road bike on the paved sections of the climb and was able to switch to an all-road bike with gravel tires on the unpaved section. View this post on Instagram The full video of the attempt isnt up yet, but well post it here when we see it. Congrats, Phil, and Happy Birthday!Follow along with Phils antics on his Instagram @philgaimon or check out his YouTube channel @worstretirementeverThe post Phil Gaimon Reclaims Mauna Kea KOM, Calling it Worst 40th Birthday Ever. appeared first on Bikerumor.

Over recent years, weve seen a resurgence in stunning new titanium bikes, with the likes of Reillys Fusion, Bastions hybrid creations, Sturdys SC-R and SC-G, Moots' rugged Scrambler and J.Laveracks Speedform. Even affordable options such as Ribbles Allroad Ti, Sonder's Camino, the Kinesis Tripster ATR and Dolan's ADX are incorporating new manufacturing techniques and processes. That's not to mention new bikes incoming from the likes of Enigma, embracing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques. Now Milanese titanium expert Passoni has launched the new Omni OT-01 with a lightweight tubeset, machined head tube and enclosed 3D-printed dropouts. Read more: Best titanium road bikes in 2026 for smooth and luxurious riding, as reviewed by BikeRadar The titanium frame evolves The Passoni Omni OT-01 head tube is machined from Grade 5 titanium billets. Passoni Passonis current flagship disc road bike, the Titanio Disco, provides the basis for the new Omni OT-01. Passoni has reengineered key elements of the frame, while maintaining their geometry and ride quality. Up front, a new 1.5-inch head tube is machined in three parts from a solid billet of Grade 5 titanium. The frame has been completely re-engineered, which has resulted in a claimed 120g weight reduction over the Titanio Disco in a size medium. The Omni OT-01 rear dropout is completely enclosed. Passoni The rear triangle has new-shaped chainstays, increasing tyre clearance to 32mm. These are capped with new 3D-printed dropouts. The driveside dropout is now fully enclosed, giving "a visual cleanliness and a more integrated look to the frame", according to Passoni. The front triangle's two main tubes are new. The down tube has reduced in diameter, dropping 90g in weight, and like the top tube, it's triple-butted for an "optimal-stiffness-to-weight-ratio". The Omni down tube is smaller in diameter and triple-butted, saving 90g over the previous generation. Passoni Up front, a new carbon fork (the FP01) has an oversized 1.5in steerer tube and is optimised to run with 160mm disc rotors. The OT-01 can be bought fully made-to-measure, custom, or off the peg in standard sizes. 48 50 52 54 56 58 60 Stack 519 526 559 559 583 604 617 Reach 356 368 383 383 389 395 405 Head Tube length (mm) 115 120 152 152 175 195 207 Seat angle (deg) 75 75 74 74 73,8 73,5 73 Head tube angle (deg) 69 70 71,5 71,5 72 72,5 73 BB drop (mm) 74 72 70 70 70 70 70 Trail (mm) 83 77 71 67 63 60 57 Fork rake (mm) 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 Chain stay length (mm) 410 410 410 410 412 412 412 Wheel base (mm) 978 985 988 998 1009 1017 1025 Length Seat tube c.c. (mm) 440 447 472 472 522 533 534 Length Top tube virt (mm) 500 513 545 545 560 575 594 Standover (mm) 738 747 777 777 810 825 832 Front centre 580 586 589 598 607 615 623 Edit Table Like all of Passonis titanium bikes, the OT-01 is handmade at Passoni's Milan Atelier. All bikes are made to order, with deliveries scheduled for 16-20 weeks. Pricing details The Omni OT-01 can be ordered as a complete bike with Campagnolo Super Record 13. Passoni As youd imagine, a custom handmade titanium frameset such as this doesnt come cheap, with the frameset (frame, fork and headset) priced at 7,020 plus VAT. A frame kit (frame, fork, headset, CP-01+ cockpit, Selle Italia SLR custom saddle, titanium seatpost and leather bar tape) costs 8,550 plus VAT. Complete builds with Campagnolo Super Record 13 and Bora Ultra WTO 45 wheels cost 15,230 plus VAT.

CyclistNew Passoni OT-01 Omni Titanium shaves 120g off the brands top-spec ti framesetHigh-end Italian titanium bike specialist Passoni has launched the OT-01 Omni Titanium, its new flagship model, an evolution of the Titanio Disco with revised geometry, new tube profiles and 3D printed rear dropouts.Passoni says its new frame saves over 120g for a size medium relative to the Titanio Disco, a bike we weighed at 7.7kg when we reviewed it in 2023 and which we rated among the best titanium bikes weve reviewed.As with the Titanio Disco, the new OT-01 is hand-built in Passonis Milan workshop and is fabricated from Grade 9 titanium alloy, with Grade 5 titanium used for the head tube and dropouts. The bottom bracket fits T47 bearings and the frame accepts a round 31.6mm seatpost.It will be available in seven standard sizes, with revised geometry figures that Passoni says maximise balance and comfort. Theres also the option to specify custom geometry. Related Posts Passoni's stunning first aerodynamic frame is made from both titanium and carbon sections Best titanium bikes 2026 reviewed Passoni Titanio Disco review Passoni: factory visit Smaller-diameter down tubeFeatures of the OT-01 frameset include a new triple butted down tube with reduced diameter, which Passoni claims contributes 90g to the weight reduction. Also new are the carbon fork and the CP01 aero integrated carbon bar/stem, which replace the Deda units that were fitted to our Titanio Disco review bike.Other key changes in the OT-01 frame include a new head tube thats machined from a solid titanium billet and designed to accept integrated cable routing. It fits a non-tapered 1.5-inch headset that Passoni says enhances front-end stiffness and steering precision.Changes have also been made to the rear triangle, increasing tyre clearance to 32mm and adding new 3D printed dropouts, with the thru-axle end hidden on the drive side. Chainstay length is 410mm.Frameset and full build optionsPassoni will sell the OT-01 in sizes 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 as standard, as well as custom geometry. The brand says it has revised its standard geometry figures to maximise balance and comfort.You can pre-order the OT-01 now, with a 16- to 20-week lead time. The frameset is priced at 7,020 plus VAT, or you can order a frameset kit with Passonis new CP-01 cockpit with leather bar tape, a Selle Italia SLR saddle and titanium seatpost for 8,550 plus VAT.Passoni quotes a price of 15,230 plus VAT for a full build with a Campagnolo Super Record 13 groupset and Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 45 wheels.The post New Passoni OT-01 Omni Titanium shaves 120g off the brands top-spec ti frameset appeared first on Cyclist.

Stage 4 of the AlUla Tour was the final opportunity for the sprinters and it was fully used by the fast men. Jonathan Milan didn't manage to take another victory but instead it was XDS Astana Team's Matteo Malucelli who sprinted to victory. The 173-kilometer long stage began straight away with stro...

Irelands Jamie Meehan was long going up the road when he first raced for Cofidis, during his late season stagiaire, last year and now hes been on the move again, this time on stage 4 of AlUIa Tour. His breakaway livened up an otherwise dull affair as the field raced through desert landscapes for 173.4km []