The racing will be held in Scotland at one of the 7Stanes off-road hubs

From the outside, Remco Evenepoels early-season calendar could be misread as caution. A February stage race without Tadej Pogacar or Jonas Vingegaard on the startline is easily framed as convenience rather than confrontation. Inside Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, the thinking was the opposite. Were...

This Tifosi Rostra road bike, equipped with a mid-range Campagnolo Centaur 11-speed groupset, has a chunky 52 per cent off, bringing the price down to 599. That price, in combination with the rim brakes, rarely seen groupset and boxy alloy wheels, lends this bike a circa-2008 sensible road bike vibe that's got us feeling nostalgic. The bike is designed as an all-season whip, with room for 35c tyres and mudguards although not at the same time. While its not going to win any awards for speed, the 6061-T6 aluminium frame looks to offer great versatility, with rack and mudguard mounts making this a potential lightweight touring bike or commuter bike. The Tifosi Rostra looks a bargain at 599. Chicken Cyclekit Tifosi says the bike has an endurance-oriented geometry, and the carbon fibre fork should add a touch of extra comfort. Carrying on the Italian theme, the bike comes with a Selle Italia Model X saddle and Miche Reflex DX wheels. It's not a full Campy groupset, with an FSA crankset used at the centre of the bike. Chicken CycleKit At the time of writing, the bike is available in M and L sizes. Buy the Tifosi Rostra Centaur Rim Brake from Chicken CyckleKit for 599 Other options The CAAD Optimo 2 offers a similar package to the Tifosi. Evans Cycles There are other bikes of this ilk available at around this price, such as the Cannondale CAAD Optimo 2 for 690, down from 1,150. It features a similar spec, although its rare to find bikes at this price point with a Campagnolo groupset. The CAAD Optimo 2 ticks the boxes of beginners and those looking for a hack bike. Buy the Cannondale CAAD Optimo 2 from Evans Cycles It goes to show that if you can forgo disc brakes, there are some bargains to be picked up. While Im a fan of all things disc brake, I never feel under-braked on my rim-brake equipped touring bike, even when descending in the Pyrenees with full panniers. There are also plenty of high-end wheelsets from the rim-brake era that can be picked up for fractions of their original price whether thats new or second-hand.

As questions continue to swirl around Mads Pedersens chances of making a meaningful impact in the Spring Classics after his early-season crash, one former teammate believes it is far too early to rule him out. Jasper Stuyven, who spent nine seasons alongside Pedersen at Lidl-Trek, has urged caution...

In Neil's latest video, fresh off the Monumental Loop, he takes an extended pit stop with single-speed ultra-racer Alex Kowalski for an in-depth chat about his cycling history and future plans. For more on Neil's latest interview, dive into all the details below...The post An Interview with Alex Kowalski (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The post 7 Must-Do Long distance cycling routes on the NCN appeared first on Skedaddle Blog.

In an online landscape crowded with shortcuts, sponsored influence, and machine-made content, weve long believed our readers deserve better. This seven-point pledge reflects on our platforms 15-year history and pulls back the curtain on how BIKEPACKING.com operates and the principles we refuse to compromise as we continue building this resource for the long haul. Read it here...The post Our Pledge to Readers appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

If you were around mountain biking in the 90s, chances are the Cactus Cup was already on your radar. Back when cantilever brakes ruled, suspension forks were just figuring things out, and bar ends were still considered cutting-edge tech. Pinnacle Peak in Scottsdale played host to some of the sports biggest names. Were talking Travis Brown, Juli Furtado, John Tomac, Alison Sydor, Tinker Juarez, and Ned Overend. The racers who helped shape modern mountain biking long before carbon trail bikes and dropper posts took over.Now, the Specialized Cactus Cup is leaning back into those roots, adding a new Vintage Short Track Race and Bike Show to this years event lineup. This gives riders a chance to dust off their pre-1999 mountain bikes and actually ride/race them again.(All photos/Cactus Cup)A Throwback Weekend in the Arizona DesertFor 2026, organizers are adding a vintage component to the festival, teaming up with the Vintage Off-Road Bicycle Association (VORBA) to celebrate the bikes and racers who helped launch the sport.Where? The three-day event will be held at McDowell Mountain Regional Park in Fountain Hills, Arizona.When? The event starts on Friday, March 13th, and runs until the 15th, and serves as the social kickoff. Riders can expect shakeout rides, demos, vendors, food, and festivities capped off by the new vintage short track race. The main stage racing runs on Saturday and Sunday, with courses and categories for riders of all experience levels.Vintage Racing, Vintage Entry FeesEven better? Entry is just $20 or the price of a beer at a national-level gravel race. Keeping things true to the era, winners dont get a plaque or medal. Instead, theyll take home a pro-wrestling-style championship belt.Following the race, participants can display their bikes at the VORBA tent throughout the weekend. This will turn the area into a rolling museum of mountain bike history, from early suspension experiments to classic rigid race machines.VORBA founder and longtime industry veteran Mark Salmon says the idea grew from a simple request.I reached out about adding a vintage class, Salmon explains. The organizers took it further and built an entire event around it alongside the main race.Salmon adds that despite the growing number of collectors restoring classic bikes, opportunities to ride together remain rare. This gives that community a place to connect and actually ride these bikes the way they were meant to be ridden.Racing Optional, Community RequiredNot interested in pinning on a number? No problem.Riders can still bring their vintage bikes, hang out at the VORBA tent, watch pro racing, and show off their restored machines. Whether you raced back in the early days or just appreciate skinny tires, narrow bars, and high tire pressures, the weekend aims to bring that shared history back to life.Racers are also automatically entered into a prize raffle featuring gear from WTB, King Cage, Panaracer, House of Looptail, VORBA, and other vintage-friendly brands. So podium or not, you might still head home with something new for your classic ride.Mountain Bikings Season Opener Lives OnThe Cactus Cup remains one of Arizonas premier mountain bike stage races, drawing pros, amateurs, juniors, and spectators from across the Southwest every spring. With vendors, demos, racing, and festival atmosphere packed into one desert weekend, it continues to serve as an early-season kickoff for many riders.This years addition just gives everyone another excuse to dig into the garage, dust off that old hardtail, and remember how mountain biking got started.Registration and event details are now live on the Cactus Cup website, with racing and festivities rolling into Fountain Hills this March.The post Specialized Cactus Cup Adds Vintage Short Track Race & Bike Show appeared first on Bikerumor.

A full carbon Colnago covered in Ferrari branding

Adam Yates admitted he was left with no choice but to race aggressively on the final stage of the Tour of Oman, as his bid to overturn the general classification came up short on the decisive slopes of Jebel Akhdar. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader finished fourth on the stage and secured third ov...