Dylan van Baarle began his 2026 season at the Volta ao Algarve, where he debuted his new blue-and-white Soudal Quick-Step jersey after three seasons with Team Visma Lease a Bike. With the Opening Weekend of the Spring Classics fast approaching, van Baarle can look back on a memorable milestone,...

The jury might be out on whether hes the greatest of all time, but few would argue that Tadej Pogaar isnt one of the most captivating cyclists to watch. His long distance attacks and super-human efforts, which appear to leave his competitors wheezing, often beg the question, how on earth is he doing that? Thats the spirit Met aims to capture with its new collection of limited-edition Tadej Pogaar helmets, released today. Pogaar and Met, which provides helmets to his UAE Team Emirates XRG squad, have collaborated on special versions of the Manta aero helmet and the Trenta 3K Carbon. The helmets are said to be inspired by Pogaar. Met The two helmets feature an iridescent finish, which is described as ethereal as the rider who inspired it and leaning into the idea of the ultimate flow the dream state where effort fades yet speed increases. A more relatable experience might be for effort to fade and speed to drop with it, but theres no denying the appeal of Mets flight of fancy. After all, who doesnt want days when "performance comes easy? Youre probably better off spending your money on a coach than a helmet if youre after improved performance, but if these World Champion-inspired lids do appeal then the Manta costs 250 / $350 / 280 and the Trenta 3K Carbon will set you back 390 / $540 / 440. The Tadej Pogaar Met Trenta 3k. Met The Trenta 3K Carbon has a carbon shell which helps contribute to its airflow. Met Met launched the Trenta 3K Carbon last year after Pogacar was spotted using it at the 2025 Tour de France. The Venta 3K Carbon has an integrated carbon wing which is said to eliminate the need for EPS foam from the internal frame, which facilitates a "continuous internal air channel. This contributes to Mets claim that the Venta 3K Carbon is its most ventilated road helmet, but the brand has still optimised it in the wind tunnel for aero performance. The helmet has a MIPS liner and Virginia Tech awarded it a full five stars. Met launched the Manta aero helmet in 2024, and its said to be more aerodynamic than its predecessor thanks to a lower and tupe-shaped profile at the rear. Despite being an aero helmet it still features 15 vents to cool your head and keep you comfortable. The Manta also has a MIPS liner. The limited-edition Tadej Pogaar Met Manta. Met

Microshift has unveiled the new Advent MX drivetrain, which is said to be its most robust, high-performance mountain bike groupset to date. Designed for trail and all-mountain riding, Advent MX pairs a wide-range 11-50t or 11-48t cassette with a redesigned rear derailleur, updated trigger shifter and what the brand calls its strongest clutch mechanism to date. The groupset is offered with either a 10-speed or 11-speed cassette, with the brand claiming they last six times longer than Advent X. Microshift also promises better shifting engagement thats four times faster, and improved chain retention thanks to a horizontal parallelogram layout and beefed-up clutch. The groupset is priced at $194.99 / 195.99 for the 10-speed variant, with the XD Driver 11-speed option $244.99 / 239.99. We tested the drivetrain before launch, so check out Luke Marshall's review below. Read more: Microshift Advent MX 11-speed review: forget the big brands, this is the workhorse drivetrain your ebike needs Beefed-up body The Advent MX derailleur has been made more durable. Microshift Microshift says Advent MXs design brief was simple: shifting performance doesnt matter if your chain falls off. To achieve this, the brand has beefed up the rear derailleur with a horizontal parallelogram that moves strictly sideways. This is said to isolate vertical and horizontal forces, directing impacts from rough landings into the clutch mechanism rather than disturbing the derailleur bodys alignment. The claimed result is improved chain stability on rough terrain. Microshift The clutch has been redesigned to be both stronger and quicker to engage, operating instantly and silently. IGUS bushings feature in the derailleur construction, and a replaceable derailleur cage is available on the standard MX rear derailleur, enabling riders to swap a damaged cage rather than replacing the entire derailleur However, the MX Black version does not feature a replaceable cage. Faster engagement The shifters have been redesigned to be faster. Microshift Microshift says it has removed dead play from the shifting mechanism, resulting in four times quicker engagement compared to Advent X. The new trigger shifter is designed for tighter, more repeatable actuation, with 12mm of lateral adjustment at the clamp. This enables you to move the shifter inboard or outboard to fine-tune lever position without interfering with the brake controls. The groupset doesn't include the crankset. Microshift A cable-redirection pulley on the derailleur provides a more direct cable path, reducing friction and shifting tension. According to Microshift, this lower friction enables the use of a stronger clutch without increasing lever effort at the shifter. The result, says the brand, is a faster response even under high torque useful when attacking steep, unplanned climbs on your eMTB. SpeedRamp cassette The SpeedRamp has dedicated shapes for moving the chain up and down the cassette. Microshift At the heart of the system are two new cassettes featuring what Microshift calls SpeedRamp technology. Microshift claims the new cassettes last six times longer than Advent X, and in high-torque ebike durability testing, says it outlived a competitors top offering. The smallest cogs are individually replaceable, which should help extend service life further. Chromoly steel sprockets are from 11-28t, with additional hardening on the smaller cogs. Despite the durability focus, the cassette is claimed to weigh 480g, which Microshift says is competitive among high-durability, wide-range options. For the first time from Microshift, the cassette is offered in both HG and XD Driver body options so it will be swappable between bikes already using SRAM or Shimano drivetrains. 10-speed and 11-speed options Advent MX is designed for all-mountain riding. Microshift Advent MX is available in both 11-speed and 10-speed configurations. The 11-speed cassette is fully compatible with Shimano CUES cassettes, although the shifter and derailleur are Microshift-specific. Advent MX 10 is compatible with 10-speed chains and is fully cross-compatible with Advent X and Sword 10, enabling incremental upgrades. MX and MX Black rear derailleurs share the same cable-pull ratio as Advent X, making them direct replacements from a compatibility standpoint.

This week's update features points scored in stage races UAE Tour, Vuelta a Andaluca and Volta ao Algarve, as well as French one-day races Classic Var and Tour des Alpes Maritimes. You can check the previous UCI Rankings update here. It has been an action-packed week of racing, with three importan...

Continental is pushing more and more into the gravel race scene, and now they just announced very competitive gravel race options. The Continental Terra Competition is a new performance-tier gravel tire aimed at fine gravel and some tarmac. Its most definitely not an all-around gravel tread, but it works damn well in a wide range of conditions. On paper, the new Terra Competition is best for hardpack, light gravel, and rough tarmac. The Terra Competition sits just above the Terra Speed in outright efficiency, but for some its gonna be hard to handle. (Photo/Continental)The Concept: Road Speed Meets Light GravelThe Terra Competition is designed to blur the lines between road and gravel, targeting fast multi-surface riding. Compared to the Terra Speed, it trims weight, reduces rolling resistance, and refines tread shape with aerodynamic considerations in mind. The tread pattern reflects that goal. The tread design leans heavily into speed without outright abandoning control. A nearly continuous center section keeps things rolling fast and smoothly on the road or hardpack. The low-profile knobs trim rolling resistance, but they have a slight tooth. If you squint your eyes, you can see some GP5000 in there slightly. As you tip the bike into a corner, more pronounced shoulder knobs come into play. These shoulder knobs arent fully independent, but they offer speed and plenty of ground contact. The Terra Competition also features a well-integrated siping system that helps clear water and debris, maintaining traction in mixed conditions.The shape is round, and it feels very natural on the road and at high speeds. However, the rounded overall profile isnt just for looks. Continental claims its shaped to smooth airflow and reduce aerodynamic drag as speeds start creeping north, as they tend to do when youre racing (hopefully).Two Casings Two CompoundsIf youve been following Continental Tires lately, youve noticed they are offering their newest offering in two treads and two compounds. I love these two threads for their mountain bike offerings, and it makes perfect sense to bring them over to the gravel side of life. Continental claims the updated casing saves up to 68g in weight compared to Terra Speed in comparable sizes, and yes, all compounds use Continentals BlackChili compound technology in case you were wondering.The Terra Competition comes in two constructions:Race CasingLighter and more supple, designed for gravel and cross-country speed. Tubeless Ready, hookless compatible, foldable aramid bead, reinforced sidewalls, and crown. Trail CasingSlightly more robust for mixed terrain and down-country use, maintaining tubeless compatibility and reinforced construction. Both casings incorporate a textile breaker beneath the tread for improved puncture protection.Compound options include:Rapid Compound optimized for acceleration and rolling efficiency. Grip Compound tuned for improved traction and damping on rougher surfaces.(Our tires are slightly over the claimed weight of 470g at 515g in the race casing and speed compound. Photo/Jordan Villella)Terra Competition Sizes, Weights & PricingWeight: 345g (35mm width, 700c), 420g (40mm width, 700c), 470g 516g *actual (45mm width, 700c)Available in 700 x 35mm, 40mm, and 45mm, and in Race and Trail casingsPrice: 68.95 / 59.30 / $76.26Internal testing at Continental shows up to 17% lower rolling resistance versus Terra Speed Protection (thicker casing) in controlled drum tests, along with aerodynamic drag reductions across yaw angles from 20 to +20.(Photo/Jordan Villella)Ride Impressions: Fast First, Confident SecondIve logged lots of time on the new Continental Terra Competition tires. Ive also ridden them in nearly every possible condition. My first experience with the Terra Competition was at Big Sugar, arguably the perfect condition for these tires. I opted for the 45mm sizing. I figured it was enough volume to add some suspension in the rocky bits and should take the edge off the potholes.The Big Sugar course offered super hard-packed gravel and dirt (on the course inspection day not race day), and it paired excellently with the fast-rolling tread of the Terra Competition. I felt confident going from road to dirt to gravel, all with just enough grip to keep me fast but without skidding around in the corners. When I did enter a corner hotter than advised, I was confident in the tread on the Competition. They have enough bite to keep you upright and offer little bites of grip when crunch time comes.(Photo/Jordan Villella)On The Pavement On pavement transitions and hardpack, the tire rolls more like a wide all-road tire than a traditional gravel tread. Theres minimal center tread buzz, and when you step on the pedals, it responds cleanly. Out-of-corner accelerations feel sharp, especially compared to more protection-heavy gravel options. In high-speed road-like conditions (think bombing down some switchbacks or high-speed chicanes), the Terra Compeitions react like a road tire. Yes there is some lag if youre coming off your road race bike, but if youre coming from a gravel tire of the same width, these will feel slightly more natural in the corners. The Race Casing lives up to its billing. Its supple without feeling fragile. Small chatter and washboard sections are muted, and the tire tracks smoothly through rough patches without transmitting excessive vibration. Compared to Terra Speed Protection, the Terra Competition feels more responsive and slightly more lively under power with a bit less of that armored feeling.(Photo/Jordan Villella)That said, I did not ride the Terra Competitions for the torrential rain race day, but I left Big Sugar with a solid impression of Continentals newest gravel race tire. But I would reserve the full impressions for when I get to take them on my local trails, on the not-so-dry Pittsburgh winter roads.Less The Perfect Conditions When I received my samples of the Continental Terra Competition tires, we were in the midst of a full-on snowpocalypse on the East Coast. It was not the best time to test what we consider a dry-weather tire, but the show must go on(Photo/Jordan Villella)I mounted them to a set of the new ENVE Foundation all-road wheel with a hookless bead and a 25mm internal rim width. They measured to 44.82mm, ever so slightly under the 45mm billing.(Photo/Jordan Villella)When the pavement was finally visible, I took the Terra Competitions out in the cold temps. On the road, they were everything I remembered from my miles in Bettonville: fast, smooth, road-like. I made my way to some gravel that wasnt covered in ice, and the Competitions held steady. The terrain was a mix of gravel, with frozen bits of ice and larger patches. Now, I wouldnt call this a snow or ice tire, but it held up. It reminds me of running a Challenge Dune on snowy, icy cyclocross races more contact is a good thing.When I hit the sun-soaked sections of gravel, the icy bit thawed into water and turned to mud. I didnt find my wheels slipping (though I was fairly cautious), and the Terra Competitions still held their ground. I would not call them an all-rounder, especially compared to the Terra Speed, but they will get you through a lot.On the slippier sections, especially on the climbs with deeper loose gravel, the Terra Competition can use some babying. Stand up and dry to attack, youre gonna slip out unless youre magic on the bike. That said, these are dry conditions race tires; theyre not trying to be an all-arounder. You can get used to the grip on the tarmac and slight gravel that you go all out of the saddle up a climb, and you might chirp the wheel. However, if you know the terrain, anticipate traction loss, and use good form, youll be fine.Aero & StabilityContinentals aerodynamic claims are backed by internal wind testing. While thats difficult to quantify outside the lab, the rounded profile pairs well with modern gravel or all-around rims, especially the ENVE Foundations I paired the tires with. At higher speeds, especially in crosswinds, the front wheel feels calm and neutral, but I never found myself in a full-on echelon moment during my test period.Price, so theres the kicker, and it seems to be the same thing I feel over and over when reading spec sheets. Yes, these are race tires, and race tires have a performance price. For these tires, youre paying $76.26 / 68.95 / 59.30, and thats a heck of a lot for a gravel tire. But if that big race, setting PRs, and equipping yourself with the best, will make you confident, these are for you. Final ThoughtsThe Continental Terra Competition is a fast-rolling, super-fast dry-to-wet (only on hard-packed) gravel tire. They offer an excellent ride feel, paired with just enough extra speed to have some fun. They are not an all-season gravel tire, and if youre looking for an endurance option, Id steer you towards something in the Continental line with more protection and at a lower price. Lighter construction, reduced rolling resistance, refined tread, and aero-conscious shaping all point in the same direction faster races. If your gravel calendar rewards sustained power over technical terrain, this tire makes a strong case, especially if youre racing in dry conditions. The Continental Terra Competition purpose-built race option and it rides like one.Check out the full line at: Continental-tires.comThe post First Rides: Continental Unveils Terra Competition Gravel Race Tires appeared first on Bikerumor.

In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of increasingly younger riders in professional cycling. We could list countless names from a wide range of nationalities, all dreaming of becoming the next Tadej Pogaar, Jonas Vingegaard or Remco Evenepoel, of racing the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix...

Continental has announced the Terra Competition, an aero-optimised all-road tyre that blurs the lines between road and gravel. Claimed to be the brands new fastest off-road tyre, the Terra Competition uses a design optimised for low weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. Compared to the brands previous fastest gravel tyre, the Terra Speed, Continental claims the new Terra Competition is up to 16 per cent lighter and rolls up to 17 per cent faster (depending on size and pressure). Available now with Continentals Race or Trail casing, prices for the Terra Competition start from 59.30 / $76.26 / 68.95. Going against current trends for ever wider gravel bike tyres, however, the Continental Terra Competition is available in 700x35, 40 and 45c sizes. This leaves a hole in the brands line-up for a larger than 45c (but smaller than 2.2in) gravel race tyre, which suggests the brand may not believe wider is always faster when it comes to mixed surface riding. Contis first aero off-road tyre The Terra Competition bucks the 'wider is faster' trend that's taken hold of gravel racing in recent years. Continental With XC mountain bike tyres being one of gravel's hottest trends, concerns about the aerodynamic drag of gravel tyres have taken a back seat in recent years. According to Continental, however, the new Terra Competition uses a light-knobbed tread pattern designed to reduce drag, as well as to provide grip on rough roads and light gravel. This isnt the first time Continental has launched a tyre with an aero tread pattern, of course. Continentals Aero 111 road tyre is claimed to significantly reduce drag compared to a standard GP5000 S TR. The tread has a distinctive V-shape, with an semi-slick central portion transitioning to slightly taller knobs towards the tyres shoulders. The V-shaped tread is said to be key to the tyre's aero characteristics, but Continental declined to put any numbers on the potential gains. Continental Although it also includes notches for soil interaction and drainage, Continental notes the tyre is best suited to dry to moist conditions and the tyre's looks appear to confirm this, as the tread is minimal compared to most gravel tyres. At the time of writing, Continental hasnt published any figures for how much energy you can expect to save thanks to this aero-optimisation, and it declined to do so when asked. Nevertheless, it claims to have found savings in aerodynamic drag for all tested velocities for yaw angles from -20 to +20 degrees [of yaw], compared to the Terra Speed. Faster and lighter As well as being more aerodynamic, Continental says the Terra Competition is lighter and rolls faster. Continental We do have figures for the claimed reductions in weight and rolling resistance, though. The new Terra Competitions are 16 per cent lighter compared to Terra Speeds although this is highly dependent on which size you opt for: Tyre size Terra Competition (g) Terra Speed (g) Difference (g) 700x35c 345 413 -68 700x40c 420 445 -25 700x45c 470 516 -46 As for rolling resistance (Crr), the headline figure is a reduction of 17 per cent, for a 35c Terra Competition (Race casing) compared to an equivalent Terra Speed. According to Continental, thats worth 4.52 watts. This was tested on a smooth steel drum with a 50kg load. Its worth noting the 17 per cent improvement in Crr was measured at a relatively high tyre pressure of 5 bar / 72.5 psi, and that the improvement drops in line with tyre pressure: Tyre pressure Terra Competition (watts at 30kph) Terra Speed (watts at 30kph) Difference (watts at 30kph) 5 bar / 72.5 psi 21.89 26.41 -4.52 4 bar / 58 psi 23.68 27.73 -4.05 3 bar / 43.5 psi 27.37 30.17 -2.8 Casings and puncture protection The Terra Competition is available in Race or Trail casings, and you can have tan sidewalls on the Trail casing. Continental All models of the Terra Competition use a 3x330 TPI (Threads Per Inch) construction, but Continental is offering it in two casing types Race and Trail. As the names suggest, the Race casing is designed for low weight and rolling resistance, while the trail casing uses a slightly more robust, but slower, construction. Both casings feature a puncture protection belt beneath the tread, although the one on the trail casing spans a greater width of the tyre. Both types of casing are tubeless-ready and compatible with hookless rims. Where does the Terra Competition fit with modern gravel trends? XC mountain bike tyres have been one of gravel racing's hottest trends in recent years. Sam Andrews / Our Media When news of the new Terra Competition dropped into my inbox, and as a wannabe go-fast gravel rider, I was excited that Continental might finally be about to catch up with gravels hottest trend. What constitutes a suitable gravel tyre for racing has been evolving faster than Keegan Swensons setup at Leadville in recent years. Thanks to influential riders like Dylan Johnson, average tyre sizes have ballooned at key races such as the Traka or Unbound, with many turning to cross-country mountain bike tyres in the vacuum created by a lack of gravel-specific options over 45mm wide. Read more: The evolution of gravel race tech from 2006 to 2025: early adventure adaptations to gravel-specific everything Schwalbe's latest G-One Pro range features big sizes and multiple tread patterns. Oscar Huckle / Our Media With Schwalbe refreshing its G-One Pro range in late 2024, adding 50 and 55c sizes, I assumed it would only be a matter of time before Conti followed suit. Id imagined an updated Terra Speed in 50 and 55c sizes, with the new and improved compound and casings, plus variants with more aggressive tread patterns to better suit different conditions. The launch of the Terra Adventure last March, which comes in 45 to 55c sizes, only added fuel to that fire. Instead, Continental seems not to have the same faith in the whole wider is faster mantra as everyone else, at least for now. The Terra Competition is marketed as all-road tyre, but it does leave a gap in Continental's gravel racing line-up. Continental Conceptually, the new Terra Competition with its low profile, aero-optimised tread and limited size range feels akin to Meridas latest Mission gravel bike, which controversially tops out at just 40mm of tyre clearance. That didnt stop former world champion, Matej Mohori, from securing a podium aboard the Mission on the (mostly) dry and dusty UCI gravel world's course in Limburg last October, of course, and those are likely the kinds of races and conditions Continental is targeting here. In fairness to Continental, it does also pitch the Terra Competition as more of an all-road tyre, than a pure gravel tyre. And perhaps it's simply happy to keep gravel racing at 35 to 45c, and let anyone in search of something wider opt for XC tyres like its popular Race King. But with that tyre is only available in a 2.2in / 55mm size with the fastest ProTection casing, though, Continental is left with something of a hole in its range, and the appearance that it may have missed the boat on this trend.