CyclistStrade Bianche 2026 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start listsTaking place on Saturday 7th March, Strade Bianche is the next one-day race on the calendar after Opening Weekend raised the curtain on the Classics. The youngest of the spring Classics, the Italian race has enjoyed a meteoric rise in fame and prestige since its inception in 2007, including promotion to WorldTour level in 2017. Famous for its gravel sectors, this long loop out from Siena through the beautiful Tuscan countryside is generally favoured by one-day specialists who arent fazed by its sharp, punchy and mostly gravel climbs.The name comes from the Italian for white roads, referring to the gravel that makes this race so difficult and excitingly unpredictable. Both the men and womens races have seen a slight decrease in gravel this year 14 sectors for the men down from 16 totalling 64.1km of gravel, and from 13 down to 11 for the women reaching 33km off-road.In 2025, Tadej Pogaar notched his third victory in the race with a 19km solo attack on the penultimate sector of gravel despite an earlier crash. The Colle Pinzuto sector now bears the honour of a Tadej Pogaar stone monument to mark his three wins. In the womens race Demi Vollering powered away from former teammate and DS Anna van der Breggen up the brutal Via Santa Caterina climb into Siena for her second win.Strade Bianche 2026 key informationXavier PereyronDate: Saturday 7th March 2026Start: Siena, TuscanyFinish: Siena, TuscanyDistance: Mens 203km; Womens 133kmGravel Sections: Mens 14; Womens 11Live television coverage:Discovery+/TNT Sports, TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 3, FloBikes, Max, Sporza, SBS, RTBF, RaiStrade Bianche 2026 routesThe mens route departs from Siena and heads south before travelling east and circling back. The first two gravel sectors come in quick succession, 16km into the day. The middle section from the 63km point contains the longest sectors ranging from 8km to 11.9km, with the five-star 11.5km Monte Sante Marie being the hardest rated. This is where Pogaar launched his move in 2024, and it is the sector dedicated to Cancellara for his wins in 2008, 2012 and 2016.The final third packs in more shorter gravel sections on the run-in to the Via Santa Caterina, which hits a max gradient that no one seems to agree on, but its close to 20%.The womens race is 133km, slightly shorter than last years 136km route and sees a decreased 33km of gravel to contend with. Like the mens course, the peloton will depart Siena and head south before circling back into Siena via the Via Santa Caterina.Strade Bianche 2026 favouritesDario Belingheri/Getty ImagesFor the men, Tadej Pogaar returns looking for a fourth title with a strong UAE Team Emirates XRG team beside him including UAE Tour winner Isaac del Toro and Omloop Nieuwsblad podium finisher Florian Vermeersch. If he does so, he will stand alone as the man with most victories in the race.Winner in 2023 Tom Pidcock is on the start line for Pinarello-Q36.5 as is Ben Healy of EF Education-EasyPost, the Irishman having himself an exceptional time in the Classics last season including a fourth place at Strade Bianche. Wout van Aert is returning to the race he won 2020 after winning the similar stage ahead of Del Toro at the 2025 Giro dItalia.Young Decathlon-CMA CGM star Paul Seixas won the recent Faun-Ardche Classicthrough a 42km solo move and will be making his debut, while Faun Drome Classic victor Romain Grgoire, former gravel world champ Matej Mohori and Red Bull pair seventh place Gianni Vermeersch, who finished seventh last year, and Giulio Pellizzari should also feature.Defending champion Demi Vollering will be back racing Strade Bianche for FDJ United-Suez having recently won Omloop Nieuwsblad against Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, who is here too and always features prominently. SD Worx-Protime packs firepower in former winners Anna van der Breggen and Lotte Kopecky. Last years Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix winner Pauline Ferrand-Prvot kickstarts her 2026 campaign at Strade Bianche having podiumed here in her road comeback last year.UAE Team ADQs 2017 winner Elisa Longo Borghini races on home roads for the first time this year after winning the UAE Tour, with AG Insurance-Soudal bringing a stacked squad in Kim Le Court-Pienaar, Letizia Borghesi and Justine Ghekiere. Off-road star and last years La Flche Wallonne winner Puck Pieterse leads the way for Fenix-Premier Tech, while EF Education-Oatly bring World Champion Magdeleine Vallieres and Tour Down Under winner Noemi Regg. Look out for Monica Trinca Colonel of Liv-AlUla-Jayco and Movistars Liane Lippert as well.Cyclistsmens ratings: Tadej Pogaar (UAE Team Emirates XRG): Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG): Paul Seixas (Decathlon-CMA CGM), Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5), Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost): Romain Grgoire (Groupama-FDJ United), Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto Intermarch), Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike): Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike), Filippo Zana (Soudal-QuickStep), Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Giulio Pellizzari (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Matej Mohori (Bahrain Victorious)Cyclistswomens ratings: Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez): Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM-Zondacrypto), Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime), Pauline Ferrand-Prvot (Visma-Lease a Bike),: Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Premier Tech), Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ): Anna van der Breggen (SD Worx-Protime), Noemi Regg (EF Education-Oatly), Monica Trinca Colonel (Liv AlUla Jayco), Elise Chabbey (FDJ United-Suez), Liane Lippert (Movistar): Silvia Persico (UAE Team ADQ), Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly), Femke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike), Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike)How to watch Strade Bianche 2026James YorkIn the UK, viewers can watch Strade Bianche and Strade Bianche Donne on TNT Sports, which is available to be streamed through Discovery+ and on the TV channels TNT Sports 1 and 3. FloBikes/Max has the coverage across Canada and the US. In Australia, its on SBS. In Belgium, its Sporza/RTBF and in Italy, its Rai Sport for the action.If its not being shown in your country, you may be able to watch coverage using a VPN Virtual Private Network which allows users to mask their IP address and watch geo-blocked content, provided they dont need to pay for a subscription. This is also helpful for watching paid-for coverage while travelling abroad in countries without access. Find out which countries have free to watch cycling coveragehere.UK TV timesWomens raceTNT Sports/Discovery+: 10:30-13:00TNT Sports 3: 10:30-13:00Mens raceTNT Sports/Discovery+: 13:00-16:00TNT Sports 3: 13:00-16:15TNT Sports 1: 14:45-16:15Strade Bianche Donne 2026 womens start listData powered by FirstCycling.comStrade Bianche 2026 mens start listData powered by FirstCycling.comStrade Bianche mens previous winners2025: Tadej Pogaar (SVN) UAE Team Emirates XRG2024: Tadej Pogaar (SVN) UAE Team Emirates2023: Tom Pidcock (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers2022: Tadej Pogaar (SVN) UAE Team Emirates2021: Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix2020: Wout van Aert (BEL) JumboVisma2019: Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep2018: Tiesj Benoot (BEL) Lotto-Soudal2017: Michal Kwiatkowski (POL) Team Sky2016: Fabian Cancellara (SUI) Trek-Segafredo2015: Zdenek Stybar (CZE) Etixx-QuickStep2014: Michal Kwiatkowski (POL) Omega Pharma-QuickStep2013: Moreno Moser (ITA) Cannondale Pro Cycling2012: Fabian Cancellara (SUI) Radioshack-Nissan2011: Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Omega Pharma-Lotto2010: Maxim Iglinsky (KAZ) Astana2009: Thomas Lovkvist (SWE) Team Columbia-HTC2008: Fabian Cancellara (SUI) CSC ProTeam2007: Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS) CSC ProTeamStrade Bianche womens previous winners2025: Demi Vollering (NED) FDJ-Suez2024: Lotte Kopecky (BEL) SD Worx-Protime2023: Demi Vollering (NED) SD Worx2022: Lotte Kopecky (BEL) SD Worx2021: Chantal van den Broek-Blaak (NED) SD Worx2020: Annemiek van Vleuten (NED) MitcheltonScott2019: Annemiek van Vleuten (NED) Mitchelton-Scott2018: Anna van der Breggen (NED) Boels-Dolmans2017: Elisa Longo Borghini (ITA) Wiggle-High52016: Lizzie Deignan (GBR) Boels-Dolmans2015: Megan Guarnier (USA) Boels-DolmansThe post Strade Bianche 2026 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start lists appeared first on Cyclist.

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Paul Seixas stunning solo victory at the Faun-Ardche Classic was not simply the result of instinct in the heat of racing. According to Decathlon CMA CGM Team sports director Luke Rowe, the move that decided the race had already been called before the decisive climb. Speaking on the Watts Occurring...

CyclistSeixas to the Tour, Red Bull balanced, but leaders wain: What can we learn from 2026s early results?Its barely the start of the 2026 pro season anymore. The Classics are upon us, Monuments are on the horizon and the first French and Italian tests stare the Grand Tour contenders dead in the eye.Now three months into the season, almost every key player in the pro cycling sphere has blown the dust off their race bike. At least, everyone apart from Tadej Pogaar and Jonas Vingegaard. After a solid block of stage races and one-day tests, the first judgments have been cast on the WorldTour ahead of the real objections to come through the spring and summer. Lets cast a look at the past three months and weigh up our first GC signals before the 2026 season really picks up steam next week at Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico. Well discuss some of the key takeaways and compare their season openings to those of previous years. Related Posts Is 2026 make or break for JooAlmeida? Top 10 transfers to follow in the 2026 pro cycling season Strade Bianche 2026 preview: Routes, favourites, how to watch and start lists Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide Is Paul Seixas heading to the Tour de France?Rodrigo Rodrigues/FPCAfter his pragmatic programme in 2025, French prodigy Paul Seixas has proved his worth over the past fortnight. The 19-year-old first took a stage at the Volta ao Algarve, beating several Grand Tour podium finishers. He picked up a second place overall there before a one-day win at the Faun-Ardeche Classic from a Pogaar-like move made with 40km remaining.The comparisons to the Slovenian are coming in thick and fast, with many hoping for Seixas to make a Grand Tour debut later this year. Cast your minds back to Pogaars three-week debut, at which he finished in third place. Your wish is Decathlons command, however, as the French press is now suggesting that Seixas will head to the Tour de France this July. This would be his first Grand Tour, and a weighty one at that.Currently, Decathlon-CMA CGM dont have a dedicated GC leader for the Tour. Instead, they intended to support Olav Kooij in his hunt for sprint victories. Seeing how Seixas has hit the ground running this year though, Decathlon would require a rethink of this strategy as Seixas looks strong enough to run for the top ten. Of course, hes unproven over three weeks, and Grand Tours are far different to week-long tests. Surely, its worth a gamble for the French team though. Treat it as an early litmus test on his GC potential.From what we saw in the Algrave, Seixas might just be the real deal. He can time-trial with the best, having only shed a few seconds to the likes of Filippo Ganna and Juan Ayuso at the races only race against the clock, plus is climbing looks flawless and his team have invested a lot into the Seixas project. The only thing to do now is to wait and see whether he becomes the reincarnation of Pogaar.Read more about Decathlons future and whether they should be considered a superteamRed Bull look well-balanced, but need more from LipowitzTwila Federica Muzzi / Red Bull Content PoolAfter throwing money at new recruits over the past couple of years, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe look to have started 2026 on the right foot. In fact, theyve already picked up ten victories and find themselves within in fourth place in the UCI rankings. This may sound inconspicuous, but this is the teams best start to a pro season in the teams history.Fair enough, Remco Evenepoel has fostered a decent amount of points since he joined in the off-season. The Belgian isnt the only rider on form, however, given that Giulio Pellizzari has also found his way onto a GC podium this year. Arne Marit and Jordi Meeus look to have zapped into life in 2025, with both claiming early-season wins against stiff opposition. Meeus, in particular, looks much stronger than in previous years, having just toppled the opposition at Le Samyn.While the team beefed up their Classics roster in 2024, its only now that theyre reaping the benefits, it seems, after Tim van Dijke and Meeus bagged top ten finishes at the Omloop Nieuwsblad on Saturday. For Van Dijke, a second place at Omloop would bring Red Bull their best Flemish Classic result since the days of Peter Sagan. Now theyve just got to sustain this cobbled momentum for the next month. Laurence Pithie looks better than he was in 2025, while Meeus and Marit look primed for podium finishes on flatter Flemish courses.All thats left is for Jai Hindley and Primo Rogli to make strong impressions over the next two months. The pair will be integral to Red Bulls Grand Tour strategy. That said, some more evidence needs to be seen regarding Florian Lipowitz, who looks a fraction of the man who podiumed last years Tour de France.Is Evenepoel capable of climbing with the best?Tim de Waele via Getty ImagesRemco Evenepoel has often opened his years with early-season GC victories, thats if hes not nursing some sort of broken bone from the previous year. Since 2020 hes taken the UAE Tour, Volta ao Algarve and the Vuelta a San Juan during the early throes of the season. This year, he added the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana to that list of winter celebrations, but hed soon suffer his worst GC result at a WorldTour stage race in four years at the UAE Tour.His performance in the UAE was lacklustre to say the least. Yes, he may have picked up a time-trial victory, but there was little to no evidence that he has the climbing legs to keep up with Pogaar or Vingegaard later in the year. He was spat out the back early on both summit finishes. Not only that, Red Bull were uncharacteristically blunt on these stages, regularly overshadowed by Decathlon or UAE.This was a disappointment after his barnstorming tirade through Spain earlier in the winter, where he picked up several rounds of the Mallorca Challenge and the overall title at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Those performances were, indeed, convincing, but they lacked any hard-hitting mountains. When pitted against Alp-like tests, Evenepoel continues to struggle. If hes to finish on the podium of the Tour de France, hell need to get himself to altitude to practice those 45-minute-long efforts at 8% gradient.To be honest, this is the same feedback hes been hearing for the past few seasons. Despite his change of teams over the winter, the same issues have cropped up, and, to be honest, Im not sure they can be rectified by the summer. If I were Red Bull, Id keep my backup options open. Giulio Pellizzari might even be a stronger option in the high mountains.Read our review of Evenepoels GC performance in the UAEOscar Onley looks comfortable at Ineos GrenadiersIgor Martins/FPCA byproduct of Oscar Onleys move to Ineos is that he has finally broken the copy-paste programme he was handed at Picnic-PostNL. Hes ditched his usual Australian debut and has gone for his first winter stage race on European soil since 2023. Fair enough after his big money deal to Ineos over the Christmas break.Onley seems to have settled into life well at Ineos if his debut at the Volta ao Algarve is anything to go by. While many feared hed be overwhelmed by the teams range of leaders namely Kvin Vauquelin and Thymen Arensman the Scot stood out on the first hilltop finish to cross the line within the front group. Even better, hed be in the fight for the stage win on the final day, where he missed out on the days honours by a whisker.Reassuringly for British fans, the Scot has proven that he isnt just a one-Tour wonder. Hes managed to pick up where he left off in 2025 and challenge in the mountains once again. He hasnt quite received Ineoss TT magic, but his climbing strength is a good sign ahead of a highly-anticipated return to the Grand Tour stage in July.On the whole, Ineos look to have sustained their momentum from 2025, which was considered to be a year of rebuilding for the British squad. Throughout the winter, theyve been busy signing up top riders. Sam Welsford is the only new recruit to have won a race so far this year, but this has been offset by victories from their younger riders Axel Laurence, AJ August and Sam Watson. Ineos are warming into 2026, so I expect some big results to come once Onley gets his time to shine at more stage races.Isaac del Toro still has some improvements to makeUAE Tour/SprintCyclingAgency2026 will be a crucial year in the development of Isaac del Toro. The Mexican champion will not only be starting his first Tour de France, but he will be fielded as the teams leader at top stage races, including Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes (formerly known as the Dauphin.While Del Toros stage racing promise was writ large at last years Giro dItalia, the UAE Tour last month was the first race in which he started as UAEs designated leader from Stage 1. In that sense, it was a real experiment to see how hed handle leadership duties, without having to share out the responsibility with another teammate like Ayuso or Pogaar.Given this was something of a novelty for him, he took the role of leader in his stride. Almost too much so after his surprise victory on Stage 1. Clearly, hes a natural leader since he won the race overall, but I did notice some things that need to be ironed out before he goes into another Grand Tour as UAEs chosen son.Firstly, his time-trial needs more work. Over the past year, his results against the clock have yo-yoed between great and satisfactory. At the UAE Tour, on a flat profile of 12km, he lost time to a number of GC rivals, including Remco Evenepoel, Antonio Tiberi and Derek Gee-West. For bleaker reading, Del Toro finished just one second faster than Ben OConnor. In the age of Evenepoel and Vingegaard, both of whom are top time-triallists, he needs to up his game. I mean, Paul Seixas seems to have the art nailed down to a T already.Joo Almeida cant shake off his bridesmaid statusIgor Martins/FPCJoo Almeida has opted for a jam-packed schedule in 2026 as he dislodges himself from the Pogaar-focused wing of the roster.There wasnt too much to deduce from his second-place finish at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, in which UAE looked second best behind Red Bull. Despite the support of home fans at the Volta ao Algarve, the UAE rider slipped to third overall, finishing behind former teammate Ayuso and teenager Seixas. Almeidas time-trial in the Algarve was particularly poor by his usual standards, losing half a minute to both Seixas and Ayuso, a pair of riders wed expect him to be even with judging from past results.The Portuguese rider is under pressure to perform within UAE this year, having been handed two Grand Tour leadership spots. If he fails to translate the Giro and Vuelta into victories or, at least, second-place finishes, UAE may promote Isaac del Toro to those duties in the years to come, leaving Almeida as the teams chief domestique for Pogaar.Knowing that, he needed to step up this year. But his fortunes dont look to have changed in 2026. He looks like the same rider, with the same habits on the road. At this point in time, its hard to forecast a Grand Tour victory this year.Read our pre-2026 verdict on Joao AlmeidaJuan Ayuso is in control at Lidl-TrekIgor Martins/FPCIt was always going to be intriguing to see how Ayuso got on at Lidl-Trek after his public divorce from UAE last autumn. Unsurprisingly, he already appears freer in the clown-like colours of Lidl-Trek than those of UAE last year.On his first appearance post-UAE, the Spaniard picked up a convincing stage race victory at the Volta ao Algarve, beating the likes of Almeida, Onley and Seixas. The 23-year-old was in control throughout the race, whether that be in the time-trial or the races two uphill finishes. It was a world away from the unreliable Ayuso of 2025.Lidl-Trek is starting to become a popular destination for GC riders. Luckily, in terms of the internal pecking order, hes also done himself some good after a lacklustre performance from Derek Gee-West at the UAE Tour. Now, he just needs to take Mathias Skjelmose down a peg or two after his stern words over the off-season.In fairness, Ayuso has always looked good in one-week races. Not just that, hes got a good track record in winter races, having picked up wins in February for the past three seasons. The real test will be translating this to a three-week format. His Grand Tour record is patchy, to say the least. In that case, we wont have a clear indicator on the success of this transfer until the Tour de France this summer.The post Seixas to the Tour, Red Bull balanced, but leaders wain: What can we learn from 2026s early results? appeared first on Cyclist.

The growing sense of danger in the professional peloton has been thrust back into focus at the start of the 2026 season, with one French rider warning that tension inside the bunch has reached a constant and dangerous level. Damien Touze, who narrowly survived a horrific crash at the Tour of Oman in...

Route Details for Rs Tailteann 2026The 71st edition of Rs Tailteann will take place from May 20th to May 24th, 2026.The event will start in Portlaoise, Co Laois on Wednesday, May 20th, heading south-west to finish in the historic Limerick heritage town of Kilmallock. Stage two will see a transfer to Rathmore, Co Kerry, where a long and demanding day awaits, taking in Kenmare, West Cork, the famed Tunnel Road / Caha Pass, Glengarriff and Gougane Gap before finishing in the Rs stronghold of Banteer, Co Cork.Another transfer brings the race to Mitchelstown, Co Cork for the start of stage three. A fast and technical stage will traverse into Wexford, finishing with an uphill drag into Enniscorthy, a town well known for producing dramatic Rs finishes.Stage four sees Rs Tailteann return to the Wicklow Mountains for the first time in eight years, starting in Carlow and finishing in Baltinglass. Riders will tackle the iconic Drumgoff / Shay Elliott Memorial and Wicklow Gap climbs on what promises to be one of the decisive days of the race.The final stage will again start in Carlow, before crossing the plains of Carlow and Kildare, including the Category 3 Hill of Allen, and finishing in Dunboyne, Co Meath, where three laps of a testing finishing circuit will decide both the stage winner and the overall champion of Rs Tailteann 2026.The 2026 edition of the race is again five stages and will cover 785 kilometres along the roads of Ireland, including 21 categorised climbs.Ahead of the route launch, Race Director Ger Campbell said:We are really excited to release the route for the 71st edition of Rs Tailteann.Each year we try to strike a balance between tradition and innovation and I feel the 2026 route does that very well. We are returning to some great Rs towns while also bringing the race back to areas that have produced unforgettable stages in the past, particularly in Wicklow.There is a real mix across the five days, with opportunities for sprinters, climbers and aggressive riders. Stage two into Banteer and stage four into Baltinglass stand out as particularly tough, while the technical finishes in Enniscorthy and Dunboyne will place a premium on positioning and race craft.As always, I want to sincerely thank our sponsors, supporters and volunteers who make this event possible. Planning is at a very advanced stage and we will be releasing entry details in the near future.Rs Tailteann is a very special event in Irish sport and we look forward to welcoming teams, supporters and communities from all over Ireland and beyond.We cant wait to see you all on the start line in Portlaoise on May 20th.Stage 1: Portlaoise, Co Laois Kilmallock, Co LimerickWednesday, May 20th, 2026 161.6 kmPortlaoise Abbeyleix Ballacolla Rathdowney Errill Clonmore Templemore Borrisoleigh Dolla Doon Pallasgreen Herbertstown Hospital Bruff KilmallockThe race will get underway in Portlaoise before making its way to the historic Limerick town of Kilmallock, which also hosted the Stage 1 finish in 2024 and produced a fantastic turnout of spectators.The opening half of the stage will take place on mostly flat roads through the countryside of Laois and Tipperary. The race then tackles its first climbs of Rs Tailteann 2026, dipping into the Silvermines at Dolla. A further climb at Old Pallas on the run-in to Kilmallock is sure to shake things up.A fast final 20 kilometres could allow things to come back together or provide an opportunity for a decisive move.Stage 2: Rathmore, Co Kerry Banteer, Co CorkThursday, May 21st, 2026 182.9 kmRathmore Barraduff Kilgarvan Kenmare Bonane Glengarriff Ballylickey Pearsons Bridge Kealkill Coppeen Bal na Blth Crookstown Coachford Dripsey Nad Lyre BanteerFollowing a transfer to County Kerry, Stage 2 will start in Rathmore, close to the home of Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club, who have made great strides since their foundation.A long and demanding day awaits, featuring six categorised climbs. A Category 3 climb before Kilgarvan opens the action, followed by a run into Kenmare and onward into West Cork.The race will then take in the famous Tunnel Road / Caha Pass, before descending into Glengarriff. A further Category 3 climb follows before the long ascent to Gougane Gap. Two additional Category 3 climbs on the approach to Banteer complete the day.The village is steeped in Rs tradition, having produced riders who have occupied the top four positions in the race over the years:Dillon Corkery 1st (2023) Paudie OBrien 2nd (2007) Mick Cahill (RIP) 3rd (1973) Eddie Dunbar 4th (2016)A remarkable achievement, and a special welcome is sure to await the riders in Banteer.Stage 3: Mitchelstown, Co Cork Enniscorthy, Co WexfordFriday, May 22nd, 2026 155.6 kmMitchelstown Kilbeheny Skeheenarinky New Inn Fethard Cloneen Mullinahone Dunnamaggan Knocktopher Jerpoint Abbey Thomastown Graigunamanagh Ballymurphy Kiltealy Jamestown EnniscorthyStage 3 departs from Mitchelstown and, while shorter and less mountainous on paper, history has shown that these are often the days that can turn the general classification upside down.The route features mostly flat roads on a twisting and technical circuit, with just two Category 3 climbs along the way. However, the final challenge comes in the closing kilometre, with an uphill finish into Enniscorthy.Seconds gained or lost here could prove vital, and it is safe to say the final 3KM rule will not apply on this stage.Enniscorthy has hosted many dramatic stage finishes over the years and 2026 promises to be no different.Stage 4: Carlow Town, Co Carlow Baltinglass, Co WicklowSaturday, May 23rd, 2026 141.6 kmCarlow Tullow Coolkenna Shillelagh Coolatin Coolboy Coolafancy Ballyfad Coolgreaney Arklow Woodenbridge Ballinaclash Greenan Laragh Hollywood BaltinglassRs Tailteann returns to Wicklow for the first time in eight years. Much of this route was last used during the 2018 edition.A huge and difficult day awaits, with eight categorised climbs, including the two Category 1 ascents of Drumgoff / Shay Elliott Memorial and the Wicklow Gap.A very fast final 20 kilometres on the N81 into Baltinglass may allow some regrouping after the mountain, but it is likely to be a heavily reduced peloton contesting the stage win. Baltinglass previously hosted a memorable stage finish with Eddie Dunbar taking victory there in 2016.The Wicklow Mountains have always delivered epic Rs stages and all eyes will be on this one.Stage 5: Carlow Town, Co Carlow Dunboyne, Co MeathSunday, May 24th, 2026 142.4 km (including three laps of finishing circuit)Carlow Castledermot Kilcullen Athgarvan Newbridge Milltown Kilmeague Prosperous DunboyneThe grand finale starts in Carlow with a ceremonial roll-out before heading across mostly flat roads through Carlow and Kildare. The only classified climb is the Category 3 Hill of Allen, before the race heads towards Dunboyne.After crossing the finish line for the first time, the riders will tackle three laps of a demanding and technical 15KM circuit, where the final stage winner and overall champion of Rs Tailteann 2026 will be crowned.The race is delighted to be returning to Dunboyne, which previously hosted a very successful Grand Dpart in recent years.

Back in 2022, I took up bikepacking and started training for the Smoke N Fire 400. Because that race is primarily dirt road and because Im a self-proclaimed weight weenie, I chose to do the race on a drop-bar Salsa Cutthroat.But as it turns out, *mostly* dirt road includes a lot of singletrack, and by the time I crossed the finish line, Id convinced myself that a hardtail mountain bike was in my future.I got to searching for the perfect bikepacking bikesomething lightweight, fast, and most importantly, comfortable. Ive also always been obsessed with titanium, and since this was going to be the perfect bikepacking bike, that seemed like the obvious frame choice.There were plenty of other contenders, the Revel El Jefe and the Otso Fenrir chief among them, but ultimately, I chose the Chumba Sendero for its more progressive geometry. Mountain biking is my first love, and I knew there would be plenty of singletrack in my future bikepacking adventures. That was almost THREE YEARS AGO, and since then the Chumba Sendero has become my most beloved bike of all time. Not sure why its taken me so long to write this review, but rest assured, its based on extensive use and love. Review In A NutshellPros:Extremely lightweightBeautiful aestheticMulti-purpose (bikepacking, trail riding, xc racing)Comfortable geo for long days on the bikeOption for custom builds or build up the frame yourselfCons:Wait time to receive your bikeExpensive No XS frame optionPrice: $4,450 (frame only, titanium), ChumbaUSA.comOrdering The BikeChumba offers the ability to buy the Sendero as a frame (steel or ti), frameset, or built up to your custom specifications. While the custom build form was pretty enticing, I decided I wanted to build up this bike myself. For one, I already had some parts on hand and I knew I could grab others used to help save on the cost. Secondly, I wanted the experience of building a bike from scratch.Even with the frame-only option, there are several customization options (cable routing, graphic colors, and mounts). I chose to keep things simple and affordable-ish, but a few years down the road, I do wish I had added in additional down tube and top tube mounts for bikepacking bags. Before ordering, I had a few questions. How much did the frame weigh? 4 pounds. How long was the current lead time? 8 weeks. The response from Vince at Chumba was nearly immediate.I ended up putting in my order on January 26, 2023. Then the waiting began.Lots of waiting. The bike ended up shipping on May 5 which was longer than the estimated lead time, and boy was I antsy by the time it arrived. But it was worth the wait, and par for the course when it comes to handmade bikes. They did end up throwing in some purple anodized bolts as an apology for the long wait, which was sweet. Aside from the wait time, the only other con I can come up with for the Chumba Sendero is the lack of an extra-small frame. At 55, the small frame was a perfect fit for me, but there are plenty of smaller women out there who wouldnt get a good fit. Building The BikeThe biggest decision when building up my bike was whether to put a 120mm or 130mm fork on it. The frame will accept either (as well as a rigid fork). The whole purpose of this bike was a more comfortable bikepacking rig, so a rigid fork was out of the question. I ended up putting a 120mm fork on to save weight and because I assumed this would primarily be a bikepacking rig. (Incorrect assumption).The other choice was to build it as a singlespeed or geared bike. The frame has sliding dropouts so it can be built up either way. Again, the goal of this bike was comfort, so I opted for geared, although I do think it would be fun at some point to use it as a single speed. The rest of the build was based on color (it had to be pretty) and what I could cobble together to make it as affordable as possible. It was a good learning experience to build a bike from scratch (with my husbands tutelage), and Im glad I went this route.(For a full list of the components I chose, head to the end of this article). Bought As A Bikepacking Bike.Used For Almost EverythingThe real shocker after having the Chumba Sendero for a few months was that it wasnt just my bikepacking bike, it was the bike I grabbed for nearly everything.Our trails in Boise are super buff, so it turned out this was the perfect hardtail for everything from quick lunch rides to weekend epics to cross-country mountain bike races. And of course, I used the bike for plenty of bikepacking (and bikepack racing) as well. But how would it fare on more technical terrain? On my first return trip to Arizona (where I used to live), I assumed Id be riding my full sus trail bike the whole time. Turns out, I STILL found myself opting for the Sendero. The higher bottom bracket makes it ideal for picking your way thru rocky technical trails. Of course, its not as forgiving as a full suspension trail bike, but thats actually what I like about it. It makes me pay attention and work on my skills, while still being comfortable and confidence-inspiring. There are really only three scenarios where I opt for a different bike: (1) Downhill or enduro riding. The full squish comes in handy here. (2) Commuting. While it would actually be a fantastic commuter, Im afraid of my baby getting stolen. (3) Road or gravel rides with the fast kids. I opt for my road or gravel bike when the pace is spicy, but often still choose the Chumba when its just me out for a long, slow gravel grind.If youre looking for a hardtail for racing, bikepacking, and trail riding, the Sendero is a good do-it-all option.My Full BuildFork: Fox 34 Float Factory Step CastDrivetrain: GX Eagle DUB GroupsetBrakes: Shimano XT BR-M8120Wheels: ReynoldsTR 309/289 XC CarbonTires: Vittoria Mezcal III Handlebar: Race Face Next 35 20mm Rise Carbon, 35mm DiameterGrips: Oneup Components Lock-On GripsStem: Spank Split 35 StemBottom Bracket: Wheels Manufacturing T47Headset: Wolf Tooth Performance 40mmPedals: Shimano XTR PD-M9100 SPD Bike PedalsDropper post: PNW Loam Dropper Post 170mm Saddle: Ergon SMC Sport Gel Frame bag: Dispersed Bikepacking Custom Frame BagBottom-Line: Not A Cheap Frame, But With Every PennyThree years, thousands of miles, and countless adventures later, the Chumba Sendero remains the bike I reach for first. It was supposed to be my dedicated bikepacking rig, and instead it became my everything bike.There are a few cons: the wait time is real, the price tag stings, and if youre on the smaller side, you might be out of luck on sizing. But if youre someone who refuses to be boxed into a single discipline, if you want to race on a Tuesday, hit the trails on a Wednesday, and disappear into the backcountry on the weekend, the Sendero can do all of it without complaint. Yes, its an expensive option, but if you divide the total cost by the number of rides, it doesnt seem half bad. I also love that its hand-built and will last probably forever, so the environmental impact is less. For me, its earned a permanent spot in the stable. Its not just my favorite bikepacking bike. Its my favorite bike, full stop.Other Stuff You Might LikeSmoke N Fire 400: My First Bikepacking RaceWhat I Packed For A 2 Day Bikepacking RaceSaddle Up & Sleep Out: Your Ultimate Guide To BikepackingAbout The ReviewerKristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.Shes also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.Shes been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.IG:@femme_cyclistJoin Kristens Weekly Newsletter!The post Chumba Sendero Ti Long Term Review appeared first on Femme Cyclist.

Smith Optics is one of the few brands in cycling that occasionally launches new products with no real announcement or fanfare. Its an interesting approach in an industry thats otherwise somewhat obsessed with secrecy and embargo dates, but I find it to be kinda refreshing. Every once in a while, Ill be surfing the Smith website, and I feel like Ive stumbled across a hidden gem. Such was the case when I spied the new Syncline cycling sunglasses a couple of weeks ago.The Syncline is a brand-new model in the lineup. It looks somewhat similar to Smiths longstanding, ever-popular Wildcat, but is significantly larger and has a somewhat bolder look. The copy on the brands website certainly makes them sound geared toward off-road riders, so you can keep your eyes on the trail and your stoke high with the wide coverage of the Smith Syncline sunglasses.As a contact lens wearer and self-proclaimed sunglasses connoisseur, I just had to get my hands on these new XL coverage shades. Ive got a couple of rides in them so far, so here are the details and my first impressions.The Smith Syncline with the Chromapop Slate lens.Smith Syncline DetailsThe new Syncline sunglasses are said to provide goggle-like coverage and are in the running for the largest shades in the Smith lineup. They are nearly identical in lens dimensions to the snow-oriented Pursuit glasses, which also provide extra-large coverage. The Synclines cylindrical lens measures 148mm wide x 65mm tall, with a base 5 curve providing a slight wraparound fit. They have a full-frame design with the lens attached at the top and bottom only.The Syncline has what Smith refers to as a large fit and a temple length of 125mm. The temples feature textured Megol rubber for grip, as do the two-position adjustable nose pads. Autolock hinges hold the arms open for one-handed use while on the bike. The frame is made from Smiths Evolve bio-based frame material, which is claimed to be both lightweight and durable. Across the top of the frame, Smith added a rubber bumper to reduce chatter if it comes in contact with your bike helmet.Smith uses Megol rubber on the temples and adjustable nose pad, as well a a rubber bumper on the top of the frame to reduce chatter if theres helmet contact.Smith currently offers the Syncline in five different frame and lens combinations. They are:Matte Black / Chromapop Black: 10% VLTMatte Black / Photochromic clear to grey: 20 85% VLTMatte Meteorite Crystal / Chromapop Low Light Rose Blue Mirror: 51% VLTMatte Flint / Chromapop Slate: 35% VLTMatte Salt Haze / Chromapop Rose Gold Mirror: 22% VLTThe Syncline glasses come with a spare clear lens, a performance hard case, and a microfiber cleaning/storage bag. Replacement lenses are also available: clear $44, Chromapop $88, and Photochomic $110.The Syncline glasses are as large as advertised, even on my big ol noggin.Smith Syncline First ImpressionsIve been wearing contact lenses for nearly my entire life, and my eyes are quite sensitive to wind and dust. While riding, quality eye protection is very important to me, and Im a very big fan of modern, large-coverage cycling sunglasses. And other than POCs massive Devour sunglasses, the Syncline is about as big as it gets.Ive worn and tested dozens of different cycling sunglasses in the past few years, including various Smith models like the Wildcat. Those glasses were fairly large, but the Syncline dwarfs them in the coverage department. Theyre wider, wrap a bit closer to the face, and extend significantly farther down to the lower corners. The field of view is huge, and the only way I can see the frame is by straining my eyes looking for it.The Syncline glasses weigh 34 g and are almost as large as the POC Devour (top, right photo).Ive only got a couple of rides in them so far, but the XL coverage of the lens has proven to be very effective at keeping the wind out of my eyes. The lens also wraps around just enough to keep the sun from shining in behind, but not so close that theres no ventilation. Ive been a fan of Smiths optics for years, and the Chromapop Slate lens Ive got is super crisp, distortion-free, and boosts contrast a bit. I think the 35% VLT is very versatile and great for trail riding, going in and out of shadows, and all but the brightest of conditions.At 34 grams, they arent the lightest sunglasses around, but so far, theyve been impressively stable on my face. The rubber on the temples and adjustable nose pads has proven effective at keeping them in place, even when wet with sweat. I have noticed that the nose pads on my test pair are almost too easy to adjust, however, and will shift if I push the glasses down too hard on my nose. That said, they seem to stay in place just fine unless I happen to push down on them with too much force.The included storage case holds the spare lens and is actually a packable size. The storage case is also a refreshing departure from the oversized cases that Smith has been including with its sunglasses for years. This one is packable, with a rigid, curved front and a softer back, and includes a sleeve for the spare clear lens. Its a good size that you can actually pack into a backpack, whether youre going riding or doing something else, like backcountry skiing.Pricing and AvailabilitySmiths new Syncline glasses retail for $197 with Chromapop lenses or $237 with the Photochromic lens. They are available now through the Smith website and select Smith retailers.smithoptics.comThe post First Look: Smiths New Sycline Sunglasses are Extra-Large and In-Charge appeared first on Bikerumor.

Team Flanders - Baloise is having the best season of its history in a while thanks to their young sprinter Tom Crabbe's two victories at Etoile de Besseges and two weeks later at the Vuelta a Andalucia. But not everyone is on a cloud nine at the moment. Such is the case for Leander Van Hautegem who...

Fourteen years after his Olympic silver on the London 2012 velodrome, Bryan Coquard has decided to return to the track with a bold, unambiguous goal: win gold at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The Frenchman, who shocked many by taking silver in the omnium at just 20 before switching his focus full...