The Vittoria Corsa Pro Control road bike tyre is now available in two gravel-friendly widths of 38mm and 42mm. Previously, Vittorias mixed-conditions road bike tyre came in widths ranging from 26mm to 34mm. But the wider options, announced today, are said to deliver performance on rough surfaces and compact gravel. It wasnt that long ago that 28mm road bike tyres were viewed as a wide choice, but weve seen tyre clearances and widths grow persistently in recent years. Schwalbe launched its 40mm Pro One Allroad in January and Pirelli offers road bikes tyres measuring over 40mm wide. Continental recently released a 35mm version of its GP5000 tyre. Vittoria is slightly late to the wide pro-level tyre party, even if it is slightly ahead of Continental. But its rationale behind the new widths suggests we'll see more tyres shifting into this wider territory. Read more: Ive been riding 30mm+ road tyres for a year, and Im never going back to narrower widths heres why Wider tyres becoming the norm The new Corsa Pro Control widths are a response to how bikes are designed and how cyclists use them. Vittoria Vittoria says the road cycling landscape is evolving quickly. This is driven by changes in road bike design, rider expectations and a deeper understanding of performance. It says that the optimal balance of speed, efficiency and comfort can be found with tyres between 28mm and 30mm, but that the market is shifting beyond 30mm tyres. Todays road, endurance, and gravel race bikes offer generous tyre clearance and are engineered to perform best with wider tires. In response, Vittoria extends the Corsa Pro Control range with 38mm and 42 mm options, designed to deliver race-level performance on pav, cobblestones and light or compact gravel, while maintaining speed and control on asphalt, it says. On the one hand, this shift to wider tyres could be interpreted as a push from the industry. But Vittoria says, More cyclists are choosing a single road-gravel crossover platform. Chief marketing and innovation officer Vanessa ten Hoff adds that these new widths respond to how riders use modern road and gravel race bikes. We closely follow market trends, but we choose to act only when they deliver real, measurable benefits, she says, adding that Vittorias gravel tyre range remains the best choice for technical off-road riding. Read more: You need 32mm+ tyres on your road bike, according to independent testing of new Hutchinson Blackbird Same construction as the narrower Corsa Pro Control The tyres are said to be more puncture resistant due to a thicker and wider tread. Vittoria The new 38mm and 42mm Corsa Pro Control tyres share the same construction and design as their narrower counterparts. The tyre tread has a slick central section for lower rolling resistance on tarmac. A herringbone shoulder is said to enhance grip and stability while cornering on uneven surfaces. The tyre features Vittorias race compound, but is said to offer elevated puncture resistance thanks to a 30 per cent thicker and 13 per cent wider tread compared to the Corsa Pro. It also has an anti-puncture belt and reinforced bead. The new widths cost the same as the rest of the Corsa Pro Control range at 89.99 / $106.00 / 95.95. Paris-Roubaix proves you should be using much bigger tyres on your road bike

The Tour de Romandie could take to the road in 2026 without a title sponsor for the yellow jersey. After several years partnered with Vaudoise Assurances and, more recently, Le Marchal cheese, the organization has yet to find a successor, leaving a gap that represents around 10% of an annual budget...

Selle Italia gives the SLR a fresh look with new Opal White capsule collectionSelle Italia has unveiled a new Opal White capsule collection, bringing an iridescent finish to its well-known SLR saddle range and matching bar tape. The Italian brand says the collection is inspired by the shimmering look of opals and pearls, pairing a white base with multi-coloured reflections to create a distinctive new aesthetic.At the centre of the launch is a four-model SLR line-up, each using the new Opal White finish and featuring iridescent Selle Italia and SLR logos. According to the brand, the idea is to combine cutting-edge materials with a more expressive visual identity, giving riders a premium product that stands out both on the road and in the workshop.The flagship model in the range is the SLR 3D Carbon Opal White, which uses a 3D-printed cover and carbon rails. In S3 size, Selle Italia puts the weight at 137g, with a recommended retail price of 409.99. The company says the 3D-printed surface and iridescent detailing are designed to create a particularly striking effect when the saddle catches the light.Also aimed at riders chasing a lightweight build is the SLR Carbon Opal White. This version uses carbon rails and hand-covered padding, with Selle Italia listing a weight of 118g in S3 size. UK recommended retail price is 289.99, making it one of the lighter options in the collection while retaining the same opalescent finish.Further down the range, the SLR Elite Opal White is pitched as a blend of reliability and refined styling. It comes with lightweight tubular steel rails and shock absorbers intended to improve vibration damping, and has a recommended retail price of 209.99.The most accessible saddle in the capsule is the SLR Advan Opal White, which also uses tubular steel rails and carries a recommended retail price of 139.99. Selle Italia describes it as a versatile option that brings the same eye-catching finish to a broader audience.Completing the collection is the Opal White Bar Tape, which extends the same finish to the cockpit. Selle Italia says the tape features an opalescent surface and iridescent logo, while also promising grip and control in all weather conditions. The UK recommended retail price is 29.99.The launch is clearly aimed at riders who want their contact points to make as much of a statement as the rest of the bike. White saddles and bar tape are nothing new, but Selle Italia is trying to push the look further here with a finish that changes depending on the angle of the light, giving the range a more premium, almost jewellery-like character. The collection also shows the brand continuing to build on the long-running appeal of the SLR platform with fresh materials and finishes rather than a complete reinvention.Selle Italia, founded in 1897 and based in Asolo in the Veneto region of Italy, says it sells around one million products worldwide each year. The company remains one of the best-known names in the saddle market, and the Opal White capsule looks like a move designed to appeal to riders who care just as much about finish and detail as they do about weight and performance.More information is available via Selle Italias Opal White collection page at selleitalia.com/opal-white/.

Remco Evenepoel's Tour of Flanders debut has taken the cycling world by storm this week and will be one of the major stories of the spring. The Olympic Champion has prepared throughout the winter for this race and the expectation are high, even from Patrick Lefevere who sees him race alongside the v...

Kerry County Council is opening the second section of the South Kerry Greenway this afternoon, with a 4km segment of the route from Glenbeigh to Drom West to be opened from 2pm today. Following the opening of the first section of the South Kerry Greenway to the public at Kells before Christmas, a further 4km of the amenity will be open by the end of this week. The new section between Glenbeigh and Mountain Stage will be accessible to walkers and cyclists from 2pm on Thursday afternoon just ahead of the Easter weekend, said Kerry County Council. The project now estimated to cost at least 72 million is to open in stages between Glenbeigh and Cahersiveen, with the section between Cahersiveen and Reenard Point to be built afterwards.Another 2km section is expected to be added to the Glenbeigh part of the route before the summer. Although linking the two open sections is expected to take some time because the middle section between them is the most complicated part of the project, with old railway tunnels to be restored and new bridges to be built. IMAGE: IrishCycle.com.The new section opening today starts with a quiet road treatment, in which the greenway route is on a short section of a low-traffic local road. A spokesperson for the council said: Car parking will be available at the Glenbeigh Trailhead carpark, which is located a short distance from Behy Bridge in Glenbeigh. Greenway users are reminded that the first section of the incorporates a quiet road which is a shared space used by vehicles, walkers and cyclists. Advisory signage has been installed in this regard.IMAGE: A map of the sections with the current estimated opening dates, where available. Kerry County Council added: A huge thank you to the hardworking Kerry County Council crew and sub-contractors who have helped to get the new section of the South Kerry Greenway at Glenbeigh open on schedule today. Go raibh mle maith agaibh.IMAGE: A photo of the workers who built the newly opened section (Photo: Kerry County Council).Cost estimates jump over 70m and landowners to be paidFearghal Reidy, the chief executive of Kerry County Council, said at a recent council meeting that the current cost estimate of 72 million was just that an estimate but that officials would be working to keep the project on target.According to local media reports, when pressed by Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae, Reidy admitted that only half of landowners had been paid so far, but he said that the council would be making every effort to finalise the process by the end of 2026. At least part of the slowness in paying landowners is understood to relate to arbitration between the council and landowners.In a post on Facebook afterwards, Cllr Jackie Healy-Rae said: The South Kerry Greenway has the potential to bring huge benefits and real opportunities to our local communities from increased tourism to supporting local businesses and creating jobs. I fully recognise that and I support the project. But that doesnt mean as councillors we shouldnt scrutinise costs.It is not acceptable that less than half of the landowners involved have been paid to date. These are the people who are facilitating this greenway on their lands, and they must be treated fairly and with respect.If this project is to succeed, it must carry the support and goodwill of the community, and that starts with ensuring landowners are properly engaged with and paid without delay. We need to get this right, he said.

The Italian brand revisits its iconic tape including two new additions for road and gravel

Five Small Things is a new series that pauses to highlight the little objects and concepts that have had an outsized impact on our lives lately, whether on or off the bike. Explore the debut collection of handpicked finds below...The post Five Small Things #01 appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Electric bike riders in Portland, Oregon could benefit from a discount of between $1,600 and $2,350 on the price on a new ebike under a five-year, $20 million scheme just launched by the City of Portland and paid for via the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. The Portland Rides initiative is open to applicants over 18 years old and will prioritise communities disproportionately affected by climate change and low-income households with 60% or less of the median Portland income. Applicants must apply online and complete an online safety training module. According to Seetha Ream-Rao, the funds transportation decarbonization program manager: "The program will support Portlands deeply rooted bike culture, and will make commuting more affordable for low-income households, support healthier communities, improve transportation access and help the city reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 6,000 ebikes by 2029 The scheme is open for purchases of Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes. Ribble The scheme aims to help fund more than 6,000 ebike purchases by 2029 and is designed to reduce transportation costs, lower emissions, offer alternative ways to commute and help to level up disadvantaged communities. Its also aimed at supporting healthier and more connected communities. The first funding round runs from 6 April to 24 July, with successful applicants selected at random and emailed from 27 April with details of how to claim the rebate, which will be available at 14 participating local bike shops. An electric cargo bike is a great option for the school run. Trek While the $1,600 rebate applies to standard Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes, the higher $2,350 figure is for electric cargo bikes, which can be used to carry goods or transport passengers, making them a great option for the school run. Theres additional funding of up to $300 available to pay for locks, lights, helmets and other accessories. Second round for adaptive ebikes Adaptive ebikes attract a rebate of up to $8,500. Vicky Balfour A second application round opens on April 20 for purchasers of adaptive ebikes. Since these are typically more expensive than standard electric bikes, the rebate offered is up to $8,500. The Portland Rides scheme was soft launched in 2025 at Portland Community College, with strong demand reported for the 100 Class 1 ebikes made available to low-income students. Full details of the Portland E-Bike Rebate Program, which is planned to run until 2029, are available at portlandbikerebate.com. A further round of funding is slated for later this summer and there's an event scheduled for 11 April at Parkrose Middle School, where riders can take a test ride and apply in person. You may like Eight reasons why your next bike should be electric Best electric bikes: 24 top-rated ebikes for every type of rider New Jersey signs ebike law that requires all riders to have a licence, registration and insurance

Groupama United - FDJ have not been much of a factor during the current spring classics, with Stefan Kng having departed the team without a real replacement. Romain Grgoire has been hashing it out in the cobbles and has looked in form, however has not been there in the decisive moments. At Dwars d...

Team made by YouTubers has earned its place at the Classics table