RockShox has overhauled its Lyrik suspension fork, updating the air spring, damper and chassis, and adding new rider-focused features. Why the headline, though? Why is it so important? Well, in short, its because RockShox is bringing back its longer-travel, 170mm version of the Lyrik, killed off when it introduced the ZEB in 2020. Why do I care so much? Im not a big guy, at 172cm and 68kg. With a body thats probably better suited to hill climbs and grand tours, Ive never needed the stiffest, chunkiest forks on my long-travel enduro bikes. That's why I liked the previous 170mm-travel Lyrik so much. As someone who craves comfort over pin-point precision, the Lyrik always delivered, especially on longer, rougher trails. So, Im glad I can get my hands on a 170mm Lyrik once more. Read more: The radically redesigned RockShox ZEB is so good I'd buy it Confidently comfortable With skinnier legs than the burlier ZEB, the new Lyrik could be a great long-travel fork for lighter or smaller riders. SRAM RockShox refers to the Lyrik as the ZEBs little brother. Thats because it offers a little less travel and a skinnier 35mm chassis, compared to the 38mm legs youll find on the ZEB. However, for the 2027 model year, RockShox has decided to up the Lyriks travel, with this latest iteration topping out at 170mm. Thats great news if youre a smaller or lighter rider. Adding more travel means RockShox had to boost fork stiffness slightly, but it says it has still managed to reduce chassis weight slightly. The travel range now spans from 140mm up to 170mm. I've missed the longer-travel option, ditched in 2020. The last time Rob rode a 170mm-travel Lyrik, he loved it. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media Thats because I always found the old Lyrik to be stiff enough for my needs. While both the RockShox ZEB and Fox 38 the two mainstream enduro forks youre likely to find matched to appropriately intentioned bikes have become suppler and more forgiving over the last few years, Im eager to see how the new long-travel Lyrik stacks up. Could it offer a little more compliance and comfort like the old one did? I hope so. If running the Lyrik rather than the same-travel ZEB offers me fresher hands and arms after a long downhill trail, Im all for it. Lets not forget, it was the fork of choice for Charlie Murray, Specializeds enduro specialist, for many races for a reason. He only swapped to a ZEB when he deemed it necessary. For those, like me, who are built more like a jockey than a heavyweight boxer, the new Lyrik in its longer-travel iteration could be the fork we've been waiting for. Total overhaul The new LinearXL air spring promises a smoother ramp-up towards the end of the travel for improved comfort and predictability. SRAM I've yet to ride the new Lyrik, but my hopes are high, simply because of how well Ive got on with the new ZEB. The updated 2027 Lyrik shares the same tech as that fork. That means its running the new twin-tube LinearXL air spring and features the LinearXL AirAnnex the lump in front of the brake caliper on the lower-leg casting. This is to add volume to the lower leg and prevent an abrupt pressure build-up, which can make the end of the travel feel a little harsh. This should help smooth out that final portion of the stroke, boosting comfort and predictability. If you want to tweak that final 7-17mm of travel, theres now the Adjustable Bottom Out feature. This enables you to alter the last part of the forks stroke externally by shifting the bumper up or down by 10mm. This can be tweaked with a 5mm hex key at the base of the spring side of the fork. Then, of course, theres the ButterWagonTech a series of dimples in the fork stanchions that fill with oil as the fork compresses and drag it back over the bushings to help keep them lubricated. Updated wiper seals and a change in fork oil and grease (still from Maxima) help to reduce friction further. RockShox has also updated the damper. The new Charger 3.2 offers a wider range of high- and low-speed compression and rebound-damping adjustment, but now has numbered dials to help you keep track of your settings. Numbered adjuster dials help keep track of settings. SRAM Look closely and youll see cutouts close to the new lower-leg arch. These help to reduce pressure on the upper bushings, boosting sensitivity further. Thats not all, though. The arch also features an integrated fender cap. This can be swapped out and two different fender options can be screwed into place. A new crown should help keep the Lyrik nice and precise. Once Ive tested the new Lyrik thoroughly, Ill let you know if it lives up to my expectations or if Id opt for the stiffer ZEB. RockShox Lyrik range overview RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant RockShox offers the Lyrik with its Flight Attendant system. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 Flight Attendant with ButterCups Spring: LinearXL with ButterCups Prices: 1,655 / $1,699 / 1,855 RockShox Lyrik Ultimate A new air spring, damper and a host of other revisions have been made to the Lyrik for 2027. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 with ButterCups Spring: LinearXL with ButterCups Prices: 1,255 / $1,259 / 1,375 RockShox Lyrik Select+ Although not available aftermarket, expect to see the Lyrik Select+ on a lot of bikes this year. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 Spring: LinearXL Prices: Not available aftermarket RockShox Lyrik Select For those with a little less cash to spend, the Select fork could be a good option, although it doesn't come with the same damper found in the pricier equivalents. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Delta RC Spring: LinearXL Prices: 905 / $929 / 1,015 RockShox Lyrik The base model Lyrik uses a different spring from the other models in the line-up. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Delta RC Spring: DebonAir+ Prices: Not available aftermarket

Cian Uijtdebroeks delivered a very solid performance on stage 2 of the Itzulia Basque Country 2026, leaving a strong impression both in result and race craft. The Belgian from Movistar Team was especially active in the decisive moments, emerging as one of the main drivers in the chase of an untoucha...

Crashes, illness, and withdrawals are an unavoidable part of any stage race, and Itzulia Basque Country 2026 will be no exception. With narrow roads, technical descents, and relentless climbing throughout the week, incidents can quickly reshape both stage results and the overall general classificati...

Paul Seixas wins his second stage in two days, cements his place in yellow

CyclistPro bike: Puck Pieterses unreleased Canyon from the Tour of Flanders 2026While Mathieu van der Poel opted for his trusty Canyon Aeroad at the Tour of Flanders, Puck Pieterse was spotted on the new, unreleased Canyon as she rode to a podium finish on Sunday.This wasnt the first time the bike had been seen in the Classics, either. Movistar, Alpecin and Fenix-Premier Tech riders have been using this frameset intermittently throughout the Flemish Classics, including for Van der Poels E3 victory last month.Rumours suggest the bike is an updated version of the brands Endurace, which has typically sat between the aero and endurance categories. The frame looks radically different to the previous model however, with aero-friendly tubes, dropped seatstays and a whopping great head tube. On close inspection, the clearance looks more generous than the Aeroad.Photographer Xavier Pereyron took a closer look while Puck Pieterse took to the podium. Related Posts The best photos from the Tour of Flanders 2026 Pro bike: Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney's Strade Bianche 2026 Canyon Aeroad CFR Pro bike: Mathieu van der Poel's Paris-Roubaix 2025 Canyon Aeroad Puck Pieterses unreleased CanyonXavier PereyronReports suggest this is a new version of Canyons Endurace CFR, which was last updated in the summer of 2023.Xavier PereyronThe cockpit looks to be the same as the Aeroad in this photo, with its one-piece setup and aerofoil profile. On the other hand, some of the rumoured Enduraces have been fitted with a different cockpit. Those adopt a V-shape, close to the ones on Meridas updated Reacto and Colnagos Y1Rs.Xavier PereyronIf it is an Endurace, the head tube is far deeper than its predecessor. This follows a trend of aero optimisations enabled by a UCI regulation change to permitted tube profiles.Xavier PereyronThe clearance looks more generous on this unreleased bike than on the Aeroad, which officially maxes out at 32mm.Xavier PereyronJudging from the SP0077 code on the seatpost, its the same as the one fitted on the Aeroad. Its much deeper and streamlined than that on the previous Endurace.Xavier PereyronLess notably, Pieterse rode a Shimano Dura-Ace C50 wheelset with a pair of Pirelli P-Zero Race TLR RS tyres. Dont worry, neither are secret.The post Pro bike: Puck Pieterses unreleased Canyon from the Tour of Flanders 2026 appeared first on Cyclist.

From the 6th to the 11th of April, the peloton will travel to the Basque Country, one of cycling's holy regions, for Itzulia Basque Country. The six-day stage-race is always marked by the steep climbs, the narrow roads, unstable weather and passionate fans, which are never missing in one of the spri...

CyclistPro bike: Tadej Pogaars 2026 Ronde-winning Colnago Y1RsTwo-time world champion Tadej Pogaar got his cobbled Classics campaign off to a flying start last weekend with a third career win at the Tour of Flanders. Now with the first cobbled obstacle dealt with, all eyes are on Paris-Roubaix, where he could pick up a fifth consecutive Monument to complete the full set.For Flanders, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader opted, as usual, for Colnagos aero bike, the Y1Rs. Unique for its seagull-shaped cockpit, bayonet fork and seatpost junction, the bike has been the Slovenians weapon of choice since last years Tour de France. However, this was his first Tour of Flanders victory on the bike, as he rode the old V4Rs during his previous triumphs. However this is now his third consecutive Monument victory with the Y1Rs.Pro photographer Xavier Pereyron caught up with the race-winning bike after Pogaars Flanders victory in Oudenaarde. Related Posts The best photos from the Tour of Flanders 2026 Pro bike: Tadej Pogaar's Strade Bianche-winning Colnago Y1Rs Tour de France bike: Tadej Pogaar's new raw-carbon Colnago Y1Rs Pro bike: Tadej Pogaar's Tour of Flanders Colnago V4Rs Tadej Pogaars Tour of Flanders Colnago Y1RsXavier PereyronPogaars Y1Rs has a more exposed paintjob this year after he first debuted the raw carbon at last years Tour de France. This saves a couple of hundred grams from the build.Xavier PereyronOn the whole, his equipment looks similar to Strade Bianche. The difference seems to be shallower rims.Xavier PereyronThe Y1Rss bayonet fork is only slightly mud-splattered here, and those tyres are close to the limit of the bikes clearance. Could he squeeze in any bigger for Roubaix?Xavier PereyronIt doesnt look as though he needed any thicker bar tape for this one, well see how much that changes for Roubaix.Xavier PereyronPogaar rode a custom Fizik saddle, presumably moulded to the same shape as the one seen at Strade Bianche a few weeks ago. The difference here is the angle of the saddle. It looks much flatter than at Strade.Xavier PereyronThe raw carbon was hidden underneath dirt after Sundays race.Xavier PereyronDoes Pogaar hold the record for the most races spent with the number one dossard? Someone let me know.Xavier PereyronThe Slovenian was rolling on a pair of Continental GP5000 TT tyres and an Enve SES 4.5 wheelset.Xavier PereyronHeres what his chainstay looked like before the race. A little less mucky, lets say that.Xavier PereyronSimilarly, the Carbon-Ti chain rings on his spare bike looked pristine. Hes been riding this crankset model for some time now.The post Pro bike: Tadej Pogaars 2026 Ronde-winning Colnago Y1Rs appeared first on Cyclist.

The queen of all spring classics; the 'Hell of the North'... Paris-Roubaix is perhaps one of the most unique and recognizable races in the entire sport of cycling and for a good reason. In 2026, the last of the World Tour cobbled classics takes place on the 12th of April and will put the best classi...

Cyclist6 talking points from the Tour of Flanders 2026The Tour of Flanders took over Easter weekend, with Tadej Pogaar rising to the challenge from Mathieu van der Poel and taking his third Ronde van Vlaanderen title to equal the record for most victories in the race. After hed done the business on the mens side, FDJ United-Suez laid down the law in the womens race, with Demi Vollering mirroring Pogaar in going solo from the Oude Kwaremont to victory her first Flanders title.Here are the six key takeaways from the second Monument of the season.Mens raceOne step closer to total Pogaar dominationXavier PereyronAfter Tadej Pogaar accelerated on the Oude Kwaremont, the crme de la crme came to the fore in an initial leading group of the World Champion himself, Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel and Mads Pedersen. This quickly whittled down to just Pogaar and Van der Poel, with the Dutchman then sliding off Pogaars wheel after an unmatchable acceleration on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont. Pogaars lead would only stretch from there, as he notched his third win out of three so far this year after his Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo successes.With Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders under his belt this season, and Lige-Bastogne-Lige and Il Lombardia having been near-habitual victories for him in recent years, only Paris-Roubaix now seems to be standing in his way in terms of cyclings five Monuments. Could 2026 mark the year Pogaar wins all of them?Remco Evenepoel makes the podium on debutXavier PereyronA lot was said about Evenepoels participation in the Tour of Flanders (and the secrecy around it in the lead-up), and as a result he made his debut to much fanfare. After all, a Belgian rider hasnt won the mens race since Philippe Gilbert in 2017, and the Olympic road and time-trial champion took to the start having had a mixed season so far with uncharacteristic struggles in small stage races.When Pogaar attacked and Van der Poel followed in Flanders, Evenepoel put up a strong fight attempting stay on their wheels but remained in no mans land for what much have felt like a never-ending period of suffering. At times, he was so close he could see them, but Pogaar simply increased his own pace when he saw Evenepoel in his rear-view and eventually the Belgian reached his limit. He crossed the line third, 37 seconds down on second placed Van der Poel but ahead of experienced cobble contenders Van Aert and Pedersen. Not bad for a debut.Next up for the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe riders is the Ardennes. No train delay for the breakawayChaos in Flanders as a train splits the bunch in two The break carry on unhindered and make more work for UAE Team Emirates pic.twitter.com/AG8gQtmIEi Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) April 5, 2026 A level crossing on the course closed with 212km to go in the race, splitting the main peloton while the breakaway continued several minutes up the road.Race director Scott Sunderland ensured those in the peloton that had made it through slowed down, allowing the rest of the group including Van der Poel to be reabsorbed, but reports suggest they may be in trouble with the local police for jumping the red light. Related Posts The best photos from the Tour of Flanders 2026 Pro cycling winners and losers in March Itzulia Basque Country 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list Womens raceDemi Vollering notches first Flanders winXavier PereyronDemi Vollering added another Monument to her palmars with her first Tour of Flanders title. The European Champion entered as one of the clear favourites as per usual after winning Omloop Nieuwsblad and finishing second at the mini-Flanders of Dwars door Vlaanderen. Her previous best result was second place to then-teammate Lotte Kopecky in 2023, so this win has been due.Teammate Franziska Koch was MVP of the day, vital in positioning and driving the pace. Eventually, Vollering made her move on the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont and was never seen again. Behind, Pauline Ferrand-Prvot and Puck Pieterse formed a cooperative partnership to complete the podium.Young stars shineXavier Pereyron23-year-old Pieterse finished third after yet another strong performance. So far this year shes raced to sixth at Strade Bianche, fifth at Trofeo Oro and fourth at Milan-San Remo. Last season she was even stronger in the Ardennes after a similarly strong performance, winning La Flche Wallonne. Shell surely be even tougher to beat this year.Canyon-SRAM-Zondacryptos Zoe Bckstedt came home in a hugely impressive fifth, finishing just behind Lotte Kopecky in the sprint for the line. The Brit is only 21 years of age and a performance like this will strike fear in the rest of the peloton. Bckstedt has been at the pointy end of the past few races, and still has her favourite race to come in Paris-Roubaix a race her dad won in 2004.Cyclist Magazine Podcast: Zoe Bckstedt Why I love Sundays in HellUAE Team ADQ: Strong but unable to get the job doneXavier PereyronUAE Team ADQ ended up with three riders in the top ten, a familiar occurance so far in 2026. Karlijn Swinkels led them in, finishing sixth in the third group on the road, with Silvia Persico and Elisa Longo Borghini crossing the line a few seconds later. While they had numbers, the execution was not there to trouble the podium. It will be slightly disappointing for the team, but with team leader Longo Borghini struggling with illness in recent weeks it wont have been too much of a surprise.Read more: Its time for UAE Team ADQ to kick things up a notchInjuries, crashes and abandonsXavier PereyronMany riders would ultimately abandon the Tour of Flanders after crashing. Most notably, Marlen Reusser suffered a fractured vertabra and Kim Le Court-Pienaar fractured her wrist in a crash just prior to the Koppenberg. Lorena Wiebes, meanwhile, crashed twice but managed to avoid serious injury.In the mens race, Matteo Trentin, Magnus Sheffield and Sam Watson were all looking strong near the front of the race when they crashed, with Trentin breaking his collarbone.The post 6 talking points from the Tour of Flanders 2026 appeared first on Cyclist.

Stage 2 of the Itzulia Basque Country delivered an impressive and decisive performance from 19-year-old French talent Paul Seixas, who secured his second consecutive victory after also winning the opening time trial. His triumph came after a bold long-range attack, launched with 26 kilometers remai...