Arnaud de Lie had an ankle ligament injury that delayed his start to the season and hampered his preparation, however the leader of Lotto-Intermarch has grown into form and is ready to take on the Opening Weekend as a candidate to win both Omloop het Nieuwsblad and Kuuren - Bruxelles - Kuurne. "Th...

The 3-layer construction delivers a balance of protection and breathability while the fit allows for layering

The Opening Weekend of the European spring once again begins with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and while nothing is final just yet, the preliminary startlist for the 2026 edition already hints at a deep and intriguing race in waiting. Traditionally the first real collision of the Classics specialists each...

Galway City Councils proposed Clifden Railway Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge is to be brought through to the planning stage after alternative funding has been secured. The proposed bridge is to use the abutments of the former Clifden Railway Bridge, creating a more direct walking and cycling link across the River Corrib between the University of Galway and the Dyke Road area on the city centre side of the river.The National Transport Authoritys decision last year to withdraw its funding commitment for the bridge at this time prompted the council to seek funding from the Governments Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). It has now secured that funding, according to a local councillor.Cllr Eddie Hoare (Fine Gael) said: Today we received a very positive update from Galway City Council on this project. Galway City Council have successfully agreed with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to progress this project under URDF funding.The URDF funding has a stated aim of delivering more compact and sustainable development, and is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This differs from the NTA funding, which is administered by the authority on behalf of the Department of Transport.The project will now be progressed through the design stage and brought to pre planning stage over the coming months, said Cllr Hoare.He added: This is a project I have consistently supported and promoted, and Im delighted to see that it will now progress despite concerns of the future of the project when the NTA withdrew funding.While the bridge will allow for many local trips, it is also planned to eventually form part of the citys starting point of the proposed Connemara Greenway, which is to stretch 76km between Galway City and Clifden.

Is there a sweeter phrase in the English language than gravel spill?Get there while you can! Im not sure if traffic is backed up like that because all the local gravelistas have descended upon it, or simply because the motorists arent using appropriate gravel vehicles:Now theres a car that was way ahead of its time:Imagine the attention youd get at the start of your local alt cycling (another awful term) get-together if you showed up in your Subaru Gravel Express with your Crust on the hitch rackthough this particular specimen does pose quite a dilemma for the typical car dork:The car dork thing where they use daily as a verb is at least as annoying as any term bike dorks use, though someone somewhere is composing a Reddit post about how they daily (eew) a Curst NorEaster build (ugh) with alt bars (gag), Campy brifters (gack), and an XTR M900 rear mech (blech)* even as I type this.*[Its perfectly fine to say mech if youre British and thats how you were raised, but if youre a West Greenlander and youve appropriated the word mech for derailleur I find it deeply offensive. Yes, ordinarily Id be in favor of the term with fewer syllablesbut not this time! Do you also call the elevator the lift, or the garbage can the bin? Im sure you dont, unless you enjoy getting punched in the nose.]Speaking of gravel, its so, so over for the non-motorized bicycle:By the way, this opening paragraph would have totally won my Spirit of Gravel contest if it had been sent to me as an entry:There is oneword in the outdoor gear space that runs the risk of being terminally overused. Its the wordgravel. Whether its referring togravel running shoesor the popularity ofgravel bikes, the term conveys both a nonconformist punk sensibility and marketing hype. (These two things dont contradict each other.) Yay! Its a road bike, but with bigger tires! Its a mountain bike (MTB), but with no suspension and drop bars! Its the bike you already own, just more expensive!I know one winner has already received his prize, though the second package may still be making its way out west.But yeah, the non-motorized bike is absolutely about to go the way of the rim brake, and heres why:Honestly, its hard to tell if I wouldve felt different about this bike if I were younger. As it stands, Im safely in my 40s. While I stillfeelmostly the same as I did when I was 28 when Im just walking around, I just dont have the same power or endurance. (I still work out, but honestly a lot less than I did before I had kids.)Riding on Leif Erikson on the Wanderosa brings that all back. This trail is one of the great blessings of living in Portland. Its a major urban park thats easy to access but also feels remote and covered in trees. Ive spent so many years just running up to Leif Erikson during the workday to get in a trail run or meet some friends for a hike, and its gotten harder to find the time or energy as Ive gotten older. The Wanderosa makes it a blast again to rocket along without my teeth rattling around in my head or not being able to keep up with my friends. It just brings me back to the time when the most fun thing I could think to do on the weekend was cover a dozen miles doing something, then hang out without my hip flexors burning.Thats it, its over. Am I thrilled about it personally? No. Will I be riding non-motorized, non-suspended bikes with rim brakes and level top tubes and skinny tires with tubes in them for as long as Im still able to lift my leg over them without having to employ some sort of pulley system in order to do so? Yes. But Im mature enough to know when Im beat. (In fact, Im so mature I can barely lift my leg over a bike with a level top tube.) Read the above review again without prejudice, and remember that convenience always wins. The end.Of course, that review is of an entry level model, and its only $7,999. If you want a higher-end e-gravel bike you might consider contracting something a little more Viral:Heres the story:Today Domahidy is running Viral bikes out of a new headquarters with roots in the burgeoning epicenter of bike innovation in America, Bentonville. According toVisit BentonvilleViral is a boutique titanium bike brand thats spent nine years perfecting its revolutionary approach to mountain bike design. Visit Bentonville also says that At the core of every Viral bike is a 12-speed internal gearbox that eliminates traditional derailleurs, cassettes, and chains, replacing them with a sealed drivetrain and Gates belt drive system.Wait. They spent nine years and couldnt come up with a better name than Viral? Maybe its different for the Internet generation since the connotation has changed, but as someone old enough to be thinking about how much longer Ill be able to lift my leg over a bike I could never ride around on one that says Viral on it. Gross! It might as well say Septic, or Purulent, or Pathogenic. Yes, granted, in my teens I used to parade around in t-shirts that said pretty much just that:But at this point in my life its just not the sort of thing I want emblazoned on my expensive high-end bicycle.Harrumph. Keep your diseases and your motors to yourself.

Ivn Romeo is no prospect: he is a reality who has already started winning. His stage win and overall at the Vuelta a Andaluca confirmed what the peloton already knew: Spanish cycling has a complete rider, a world-class time trialist, and a competitor with insatiable hunger. On COPEs El Partidazo...

HERO Costa Blanca 2026: Calpe Welcomes the World as the UCI Marathon World Cup ReturnsCalpe, Spain With turquoise waters shimmering below sunlit cliffs, and a rugged network of trails rising above the Mediterranean coast, Calpe is preparing to become the epicentre of global mountain biking. On 21 February 2026, the vibrant seaside town hosted the opening round of the HERO UCI Crosscountry Marathon World Cup, marking the start of the series highly anticipated second edition.Earlier this month, the majestic Casa Nova in Calpe set the stage for the official press conference, where athletes and local officials outlined whats set to be an unforgettable international sporting event.A Three-Day Festival of Sport, Culture, and CommunityCalpe is gearing up to welcome 160 Elite and Master License athletes from 26 countries and four continents, joined by hundreds of amateur riders eager to test themselves on one of two demanding courses:82 km with 2,700 m of elevation gain50 km with 1,400 m of climbing, designed as a more accessible alternativeBoth routes wind across the dramatic landscapes of Calpe, Benissa, Senija, Llber, and Xaloffering a thrilling mix of rocky singletracks, panoramic views, and technical terrain that will push even the most experienced riders to their limits.The action began on 19 February in the lively HERO Village, where fans and athletes can soak up the atmosphere, explore partner stands, and meet teams during the official presentation of the 2026 UCI XCM squads.On 20 February, the HERO Race Talk brought together toplevel riders to share insights and expectations ahead of the season opener.Race day kicked off early on 21 February:08:00 Elite Men start08:10 Elite Women start08:20 Masters startSpectators can expect the first Elite Men to cross the finish line back in Calpe around 12:00, with the Award Ceremony planned for 13:00.Meanwhile, the next generation will shine in the HERO Kids Costa Blanca, giving young riders their own moment in the spotlight at 09:30.Star Athletes Take the StageThe press conference brought together an impressive roster of cycling talent, including:David Valero SerranoOlympic bronze medallist (Tokyo 2020), silver medallist at the 2022 World Championships, and one of Spains most decorated mountain bikers. Representing Klimatiza Orbea Team, Valero expressed his excitement:Having a marathon World Cup is extremely important. It helps the discipline grow and lets both professionals and amateurs race side by side.Luis MartinezTwotime Spanish U23 XCM Champion, also racing for Klimatiza Orbea Team.Raul RodriguezThreetime national champion and a wellknown figure on the Spanish MTB scene.Sophie JohnsonEuropean XCM Master Champion and winner of the 2025 Sdtirol Dolomites raceaffectionately dubbed the Local HERO of Calpe.Natalie Fischer (Team Extremadura Ecopilas)A seasoned athlete who knows Calpe well:The terrain here is rough, rocky, demandingand absolutely unique. Its a dream location to start the World Cup.A Global Broadcast From a Global DestinationThe HERO Costa Blanca will be broadcast across four continents through major sports networks and digital platforms, bringing the rugged beauty of the Costa Blanca to viewers worldwide. Fans can follow live coverage on:Official HERO UCI Marathon World Cup websiteUCI YouTube ChannelFor Calpe and the region, the event is a powerful showcase of sport tourism. As scar Martos, CEO of Ocuri Investments (Millennium Luxury Properties) stated:This event highlights Costa Blanca as a worldclass destination for sport, tourism, and lifestyle.The collaborative spirit between local authorities, sponsors, and event organisers has been crucial. As event director Gerhard Vanziemphasised:This World Cup wouldnt be possible without the dedication of the municipalities and our sponsors. Teamwork will make this edition truly remarkable.A Grand Start to a Global SeriesWith breathtaking scenery, elite competition, and a strong connection to its host communities, the 2026 HERO UCI Crosscountry Marathon World Cup promises a spectacular beginning in Calpe.As the countdown begins, one thing is clear:The worlds best mountain bikers are readyand so is the Costa Blanca.

This week, Kat is giving away a Piston ION eBike rack to one lucky winner. The rack boasts a 100lb per tray capacity and has a retail value of $1,289.Get the full details and specs for this heavy-duty eBike rack, then enter the giveaway for a chance to win.Piston ION eBike RackThe Piston ION is an addition to the Kat Piston Family, purpose-built to carry todays heavy e-bikes. The big difference is its weight limit, especially for eBike riders, with each tray boasting a 100 lb rating for driving on normal conditions.The Piston ION is perfect for cargo e-bikes, eMTB riders, road trips, and more. For use on RVs, the weight limit is 80lbs per tray, and if you venture off-road, Kat suggests a 50lb weight limit. To make it easier to load these hefty bikes, the rack comes with an aluminum ramp, which attaches to the tire arm joint once the rack is pulled down.The Piston ION uses the brands tool-free FastFit system that adjusts to fit different wheel sizes. The rack will fit 18-29 bikes and tires up to 4.8 wide, with some room for fenders, too. Another great feature is Kats PedalPivot, which lets you raise or lower the rack using a foot pedal. You can read more about the Piston ION eBike rack in our review.For security, the rack includes a stainless steel barrel hitch lock and a semi-integrated 12mm lock cable. You can also add accessories like the Light Kit and License Plate Mount. The Piston ION comes with Kats No Worries Limited Warranty.Now enter to win one!Kat Piston ION eBike Rack SpecsTrays: 2Capacity Per Tray: 100 lbs.Per Tray on Chassis-Mounted RV Hitch: 80 lbs.Max Wheelbase: 57 with use of Strap Extender KitWheel Size Range: 18-29Max Tire Width: 4.8KatMore About Kat Kat designs products to last a long time, boast unmatched style, and earn the reputation of being a leader in feature innovation. It gives back to our planet through its Future Forest Initiative. Kat backs up its build quality with a No Worries Limited Warranty.Kat sponsored this article.The post Reader Giveaway: Kat Piston ION eBike Rack appeared first on Bikerumor.

Omloop het Nieuwsblad will start off the cobbled classics in the space of 24 hours and within Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the hopes are for a sprint to decide the race. For this, Matthew Brennan is going to be the leader, although Grischa Niermann believes he may even be able to follow Mathieu van de...

Before now, and for a short time, there was an option between two 22L pannier bags from Tailfin. Moving forward, Tailfin will only offer its newest 22L bag, which has been redesigned and is more suitable for off-road use.But it isnt just for bikepacking adventures. Whether you use a Tailfin pannier for your daily commute or a weekend adventure, the redesigned bags are ready for just about anything.Tailfin 22L PannierA new internal frame. For this second version of the 22L bag, Tailfin redesigned the frame to increase rigidity and load stability. Here, they sought to increase these numbers, especially when rough, rocky terrain was in play.The new frame is actually a hybrid design. It combines a rigid aluminum inner frame witha rim of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This HDPE adds some flexibility to the bags, allowing them to absorb an impact.An updated clamp. The older 22L panniers featured Tailfins first-generation X-Clamp. The X-Clamp has been redesigned to provide more strength and bag security under continual impacts and vibrations. Again, better suited for off-road use compared to the previous version.The updated X-Clamp also sees more comfortable ergonomics.Improved external compression. The 22L pannier bags now cinch down more securely, allowing loads to be more compact and better balanced.White interior fabric. No more digging around in a dark, black bag, looking for something that is also dark colored. The new bags feature a white interior, making it a touch easier to find your items.Room for a 16 laptop. Tailfin realizes these wont only be used off-road. Now your 16 laptop easily fits for your commute to work or school.Carrying strap. The bag(s) can easily go from bike to shoulder with the new fully functional carrying strap. It is fully adjustable and reversible, and is easily shortened and tucked away when not in use.While were not sure if there were any off-road issues with Tailfins previous generation of 22L pannier bags, there most certainly shouldnt be now. They are touting this latest offering as acceptable from touring to challenging MTB-bikepacking routes.tailfin.ccThe post Tailfin Simplifies Its Lineup With New 22L Pannier Bag, Now Fully Suited for Off-Road Use appeared first on Bikerumor.