Caja Rural Seguros RGA will make history this season by lining up at the 2026 Tour de France. The Navarrese ProTeam has been awarded a wildcard for its first-ever appearance at the Grande Boucle, and since the announcement, the message has been clear. Every race now counts as part of the selection...

A new surface on the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway will make it more accessible to a range of users with wheels, local campaigners have said.Sealed hard-top surfaces are more accessible because they are easier for bicycles and wheelchairs to navigate, less damage to the paths from heavy rainfall, and the grit in fine gravel surfaces can cause damage to these and other devices.The route runs 30km from Navan in County Meath to Kingscourt in County Cavan, and the surface upgrade is on the Gibbstown-Wilkinstown, north of Navan.A spokesperon for Navan Cycling Initiative said: Exciting news! The greenway surface on the Gibbstown-Wilkinstown section of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway will be upgraded this month. TII funding has been secured to apply a bituminous surface, with works scheduled to take place in February.The new path between Gibbstown and Kilberry will also be completed later this month. This means we will have 20km of smooth, high-quality bituminous surface all the way from Navan to Wilkinstown and on to Nobber (with the remaining 10km to come), the spokesperson said. The group added: Navan to Wilkinstown has proven to be hugely popular with all sorts of wheeled users so this will make it even more accessible! New maps are also in the works which will be installed in the display panels at various points along the greenway.

Erlend Blikra delivered a perfectly timed sprint to win Stage 4 of the Tour of Oman, denying favourite Juan Sebastian Molano at the end of a relentlessly fast run to Sohar that averaged over 46 km/h. After more than 140 kilometres of flat, high-speed racing, the day unfolded exactly as expected on p...

The Unique Pro road cycling shoes claim to outpace the competition thanks to Q36.5s signature temperature regulation, high comfort levels and, above all, a class-leading stack height. We took these Italian high-tech shoes out for a spin to see if they live up to the hype.Q36.5 Unique Pro | 239 g in Size 44 | 550 | Manufacturers WebsiteItalian manufacturer Q36.5 claims to make you faster through high-tech innovation. Their designers consistently take unconventional routes, aiming to keep your body temperature at an ideal 36.5C while boosting power transferespecially in the case of the Unique Pro shoes. In the fiercely competitive world of high-performance road cycling shoes, theyre clearly looking to stand outnot just with a bold price tag and a carbon sole thats just 2.2 mm thick.What also sets them apart is the use of advanced Italian manufacturing techniques and full production in Italy, the beating heart of shoemaking craftsmanship. Instead of a traditional tongue, Q36.5 use a mesh sock-like upper, designed to work in tandem with a high-quality Solestar insole to deliver top-tier comfort and exceptional ventilation.But the most striking feature? The raised carbon heel section. Combined with silicone grippers inside, it promises rock-solid heel support (heel-lock) and unmatched stability with every pedal stroke.The silicone grippers keep your heels firmly in placeeven when sprinting.Whats instantly noticeable about the Unique Pro: the ventilation and ergonomic fit.On test: What is the Q36.5 Unique Pro capable of?The Q36.5 Unique Pro was developed in Montebelluna, northern Italyarguably the Silicon Valley of performance footwear. At the heart of the shoe is its ultra-thin carbon sole: at just 2.2 mm thick, its one of the slimmest on the market. But this isnt just for show. According to Q36.5, every millimetre shaved off stack height delivers roughly a one percent increase in performance, thanks to optimised rotational dynamics and improved aerodynamics.With a stated stack height of 4.4 mm, only a few high-performance shoes can match itlike the now-discontinued Mavic Comte II. Out on the road, the sole feels rock-solid despite its slim profile, with no hint of unwanted flex. Power transfer to the pedals is impressively direct and efficient.Optimal power transfer means fastand even faster.This focus on stability continues at the rear. The carbon sole wraps up around the sides of the foot and extends high at the heel, working together with strategically placed silicone grippers inside the lining to deliver outstanding heel lock. Nothing slips hereyour foot sits locked in like its clamped in place.But this uncompromising design has its trade-offs: getting the shoes on and off becomes a bit of a workout. No surprise then that Q36.5 include a shoehorn in the box.For closure, the manufacturer relies on proven BOA Li2 dials. The sleek aluminium adjusters offer excellent grip, allow for fine tuning in both directions, and hold your foot firmly in placesomething we really liked. Well, most of us. Depending on your foot shape, the thin laces across the instep can dig in slightly if you crank them down too tight.The BOA Li2 dials offer great grip and precise adjustability.But the lacing may not suit every foot shape perfectly.One thing that stands out is the wide midfoot fit. It ensures welcome comfort for broader feet and is absolutely necessary given the stiff, wraparound carbon sole, which doesnt flexotherwise, pressure points would be inevitable. For riders with very narrow feet, though, this generous fit might feel too roomy. Offering multiple width options would be a smart move here.Ventilation, on the other hand, is spot on. The mesh upper and strategically placed ventsincluding openings in the toe area of the carbon solekeep your feet cool and comfortable, even on scorching days.As far as visibility goes, Q36.5 could have gone the extra mile: the silver prints on the Unique Pro arent reflective, which feels like a missed opportunity for better low-light safety.Stability and style go hand in hand.Who should take a closer look at the Q36.5 Unique Pro road cycling shoes?The Q36.5 Unique Pro deliver impressively on their core promises, managing to strike a rare balance between low weight, stiffness and comfort. The pre-shaped, wraparound sole gives a superb sense of stability and security. While the claimed 4% performance gain from the low stack height might seem negligible to casual riders, for those chasing PBs it could be the marginal gain that makes the difference. The high comfort also helps reduce fatigue on long rides. That makes these shoes a top pick for ambitious riders who demand maximum performance, rock-solid stability and a healthy dose of Italian styleand who are prepared to pay for it.Catch me if you can the Unique Pro are undeniably fast shoes.Conclusions: Would we buy the Q36.5 Unique Pro road cycling shoes?Our verdict: yes, we would. With an RRP of 550, the Q36.5 Unique Pro are undeniably a luxury item. The promised 4% performance gain is something amateur riders will want to weigh up carefully. That said, the level of comfort and outstanding stability on offer here is nothing short of top-tier.TopsStiff, low-profile carbon soleHeel lock thanks to silicone grippersFlopsNo victory guarantee despite the high priceFind out more on q36-5.comDer Beitrag Hot or Not? Q36.5 Unique Pro road cycling shoes on Review erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Movistar Team has issued a medical update on Cian Uijtdebroeks following the crash he suffered during stage three of the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana, the race that marked his debut with the Spanish team. After further medical assessment and diagnostic tests, it has been confirmed that Uijtdebroeks...

Modern Adventure Pro Cycling have been granted provisional membership of the Mouvement pour un Cyclisme Credible, with the organisation confirming that George Hincapies new team has been accepted following additional scrutiny linked to the past anti-doping admissions of senior figures within the pr...

Frog Bikes founder hopeful of a 'positive outcome' that avoids closure

The numbers make for easy hype. Six wins from eight race days, a flawless opening block in new colours, and an immediate sense that Remco Evenepoel has landed at Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe exactly where he wants to be. On paper, his start to 2026 could hardly have been sharper. But for Jose De Cauw...