The result sheet from Paris-Roubaix 2026 tells one story. The race itself, and the performances behind it, tell another. While Wout van Aert finally claimed his long-awaited victory in the velodrome, much of the post-race debate has centred on Mathieu van der Poel and whether the fourth-place finish...

What Goes on Tour: Tour de France tragedy and family secrets drive new cycling novelRob McIvorCycling fiction is a rare beast, which makes a new novel rooted in the drama and moral complexity of professional road racing all the more intriguing. What Goes on Tour, the latest book from British author and long distance cyclist Rob McIvor, uses the Tour de France not simply as a backdrop but as a central force in a story shaped by ambition, danger and unanswered questions.Set against the heat and pressure of the 1977 Tour, the novel opens with Harry Chatham on the brink of doing what no British rider has ever achieved. He is poised to win the Tour de France, riding strongly in the high mountains, when a crash on a twisting descent ends his life. His death is recorded as a tragic accident and, in time, his name slips quietly into the footnotes of cycling history.Decades later, his son Jim begins to ask questions. Only after his mothers death does Jim learn the truth about his parentage and the identity of a father he never knew. What starts as a personal search for answers quickly turns into something far more unsettling. As Jim digs into archive reports, long buried memories and the testimony of those who rode and managed in that era, he is drawn into the shadowy edge of 1970s professional cycling.McIvor uses this dual timeline effectively, moving between the brutal immediacy of Tour racing and the slower, emotionally charged process of investigation years later. Readers who know the sport will recognise the atmosphere of the period. This was an era before marginal gains and glossy bus setups, when mountain descents were raced on suspect roads, medical supervision was loose by modern standards and loyalty within teams could be a matter of survival.At the heart of the book is a single, uncomfortable question. Was Harry Chathams death really an accident? The evidence Jim uncovers points towards something far more troubling, a truth that, if exposed, might finally clear his fathers name but at significant personal cost. McIvor resists easy answers and instead explores how ambition, fear and silence can shape lives long after the finish line has been crossed.Cycling is portrayed not as a romanticised escape but as a complex professional environment, what McIvor has described as chess on wheels. The tactics, alliances and rivalries of the peloton are carefully woven into the narrative, giving the novel an authenticity that will resonate with experienced riders and fans alike. There is a clear sense that the author understands endurance sport from the inside.That credibility is no accident. Before turning to fiction, McIvor built a career in journalism and corporate affairs, and he brings a reporters instinct for detail to the page. He is also an accomplished endurance cyclist, having completed ParisBrestParis and LondonEdinburghLondon several times, and has served as a director of Audax UK. That lived experience shows in the way physical suffering and mental resilience are described, particularly in scenes set high in the mountains.What Goes on TourThe inspiration for the novel came, appropriately, on a climb. McIvor has spoken about thinking of Dutch rider Wim Van Est while riding the Col de Tourmalet, recalling Van Ests miraculous survival after plunging into a ravine during the 1951 Tour. It is a reminder of how fine the margins have always been in road racing and how easily legend and tragedy can intersect.Despite the dramatic subject matter, What Goes on Tour is as much about family and memory as it is about cycling. Jims investigation forces him to confront uncomfortable truths about those closest to him and to decide whether some secrets are best left untouched. That tension gives the book emotional weight and lifts it beyond a simple sporting mystery.With a release date of 28 May 2026, the novel arrives at a moment when British interest in the Tour de France is once again on the rise. McIvor has said he hopes the story might also encourage readers to watch the race when it passes through Lancashire next year, connecting fiction, history and the ongoing pull of the Tour itself.For cycling readers looking for something different from training manuals and biographies, What Goes on Tour offers a rare blend of suspense, moral dilemma and deep affection for the sport. It understands that behind every result sheet lies a human story, and sometimes, those stories refuse to stay buried.

Maxxis has announced two major additions to its mountain bike tyre line-up, with the launch of the Aspen AT and a wide range of 32in tyres. The Taiwanese brand says the all-new Aspen AT cross-country tyre is designed to carry the Aspens signature speed into rougher terrain Alongside it, Maxxis has revealed a range of 32in mountain bike tyres, including trail-oriented Forekaster and Dissector treads. Maxxis was one of the first big brands to provide a 32in option, which we first spotted on a DirtySixer Instagram post last year. The new Aspen AT is priced at 74.99 in both the 29in and 32in options, with the rest of the new 32in tyres also priced at 74.99. Read more: Maxxis' most popular compound is now 30% more durable with 15% more grip Aspen AT The Aspen AT comes in 29in and 32in sizes. Maxxis Maxxis says the Aspen AT is designed to retain the fast-rolling characteristics that have made the original a staple on the World Cup scene, while improving control in more technical terrain. According to the brand, the new tread pattern has been reworked to offer greater grip and predictability when conditions become rough or variable. Maxxis says the Aspen AT is designed for more technical trails. Maxxis It is said to sit between traditional low-profile race rubber and more aggressive downcountry or trail options. The intended result is a tyre that can handle a broader range of conditions without compromising race-day efficiency. The Aspen AT has a more aggressive tread pattern compared to the Aspen. Maxxis It appears the Aspen AT is designed with an eye on the future, as XC tracks continue to evolve and become more technically challenging. Greater than 32in range There's now a greater range of tread for 32in riders. Maxxis Maxxis was one of the first brands to stack its chips on 32in, and this latest range hints it may soon be going all in on the emerging wheel size. The new range sees the Aspen, Aspen ST, Aspen AT, Forekaster and Dissector all blown into a 2.4x32in size, with the Aspen ST also coming in a skinnier 2.15in option. A Maxxis Aspen 32in-equipped bike won a stage at Cape Epic this year. Maxxis We have seen many XC tyres launch in the new wheel size, but the introduction of the Forekaster and Dissector treads shows a pivot to more trail-oriented riding. The testing of 32in wheels suggests a benefit for XC, with better bump-smoothing and mile-munching potential, but weve seen very little of it for other disciplines. Maxxis notes the following features in its marketing of the new tyres: increased rollover, improved rollingefficiency, better handling stability that increases with speed and more traction from a bigger contact patch. While these all seem to check out, some riders are still reluctant to see the positives of a new wheel size.

With road clearances going as big as 35mm already, you could be forgiven for thinking we have reached the limit. But Allied Cycle Works don't think so, with a new road bike platform that has room for 45mm rubber.

Look's latest gravel bike is built for the rule breakers with gravel specific geometry, catering to riders new and experienced

LOOKs new Cezal G85 gravel bike blends road-bred sharpness with off-road style. Boasting 50mm tire clearance, suspension compatibility, integrated storage, and a ride thats built for speed without draining the fun out. Plus, our review bike came in a paint job that speaks to my (and hopefully everyones) inner Macho Man. (Photos/Jordan Villella)A Tale of Two BikesGravel bikes are getting pulled in two directions right now. One side wants speed; race numbers, KOMs, aero bars, you know the drill. The other wants comfort, gear mounts, big rubber, and the freedom to wander off the cue sheet. The tricky part is building something that can live in the middle without feeling confused. The new LOOK G85 Cezal walks the line and might satisfy both camps without watering down the recipe.LOOK G85 Cezal What Is It?The G85 Cezal is LOOKs new carbon gravel bike, built around a UD HM carbon frame and fork, gravel-specific geometry, full internal routing, and a downtube storage box with pouch. LOOK says it was designed for everything from long-distance adventure riding to flat-out racing. The new frame is compatible with 700c or 650b wheels, 1x or 2x drivetrains, and up to 60mm of front suspension travel without changing the bikes geometry. Tire clearance goes big, up to 50mm rear in 1x, 45mm rear in 2x, and more than 50mm up front (though you can fit a 57mm/2.2in if youre pushing it). In other words, the bike has room to get rowdy if you want it to.That is a pretty broad operating window for a single frame, which is what makes the G85 Cezal interesting. LOOK is not trying to sell this as a hyper-specific niche bike. It is not pretending to be the ultimate pure-race gravel missile, nor is it leaning all the way into an expedition rig either. It is trying to be the bike for riders who want one good gravel frame they can tune toward whatever kind of dirt habit they are feeding this season.LOOK G85 Geometry LOOK says the goal was a fast bike, both maneuverable and stable, with a ride experience centered on geometry and handling. The G85 has a fairly short wheelbase and chainstays, which translate into responsiveness and fast cornering. When you pair it with a 70-degree head angle and 50mm of trail, its slack but playful. The 74-degree seat angle and 5mm seatpost offset are meant to keep the rider centered for efficient pedaling, and it does (more on that later). But the stack and reach are designed to support everything from a more comfortable setup to a lower, racier cockpit position. Its a bit of an odd horse, with feet in both camps, but it works, and its fun. The short rear end gets the bike up to speed quickly and keeps it feeling alive underneath you. The slacker front end keeps things calm when the road turns loose, rocky, or generally not awesome. How does this translate into actual riding? More in the ride notes. Road Pedigree But Not DesignLOOK has a massive road racing heritage, and the G85 Cezal comes from the brands road DNA, and you can see that in the frame shape and overall intent. It looks sleek, lean, and performance-minded. But the good news is LOOK didnt let that road background override the design. The G85 gets the details that a good gravel bike should get.There is a T47 bottom bracket, UDH dropout, 160mm rotor compatibility, a 27.2mm seatpost, and the frame is designed around actual mixed-surface use rather than a marketing idea of it. The stock cockpit uses a LOOK LS3 stem and Deda Superzero Gravel bars, which is a smart choice, though semi-integrated, so there will be some tears if you need to swap bars. It keeps the setup simple, practical, and easy to live with, while still allowing full internal frame routing and compatibility with aero bars. For riders who want something racier, LOOK also offers an Aero Carbon stem/bar option that saves 200 grams. The Aero Carbon bars feature a racey 13-degree stem angle and are pitched as the move for those who want to turn the G85 Cezal into a full-blown gravel race bike.Storage And SnacksThe bike also gets something most riders have come to appreciate very quickly: in-frame storage. The downtube storage box and pouch are among the more useful features on the G85 Cezal. The storage is large enough to hold a tube, plugs, a multitool, a CO2, and maybe a snack if youre riding with ambition and not much self-awareness. Once you have in-frame storage on a gravel bike, it becomes one of those features you start missing almost immediately on anything without it. I used it for everything from food storage to a rain jacket stash. Its Already Raced & Raced WellLOOK also has a good launch card to play here: Russell Finsterwald.Finsterwald joined LOOK in 2026 as both a privateer racer and a development partner, and he won the Belgian Waffle Ride in February 2026 in the G85 Cezals first appearance. Russell raced the full production bike, just with some cleverly placed stickers to hide the exact bike. Hopefully, its a sign of good results to come.G85 Cezal Build Options & PricingLOOK is launching the G85 Cezal with three complete builds and a frameset option.At the top is our review ride, the Speckled Purple / Neon Orange SRAM Force 113 model, built with a 40T crank, 10-46 cassette, Fulcrum Soniq Carbon 2WF wheels, and Hutchinson Touareg 700x45c tires. Price: 6,490 There is also a Speckled Sand/Black Shimano GRX Di2 212 model, with 48/31 chainrings, an 11-36 cassette, the same Fulcrum carbon wheels, and Hutchinson Touareg tires. Price: 5,730The more accessible Petrol / White Shimano GRX 820 112 version lands at 3,490, and LOOK will also offer the frameset alone for 2,490.The launch has a smart spread. The top-end builds are race-ready; the Di2 2x option should appeal to riders who want more range and a stronger road-to-gravel crossover feel; and the mechanical GRX model offers a more accessible entry point without cheapening the concept.Tech Details LOOK G85 CezalSRAM Force 113 Frame/Fork: LOOK G85 Carbon UDHMCrankset: SRAM Force 1x, 40TLevers/Brakes: SRAM Force E1Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force XLPR E1Cassette: SRAM XG 1371, 10-46TWheels: Fulcrum Soniq Carbon 2WFTires: Hutchinson Touareg 700x45cCockpit: LOOK LS3 stem, Deda Superzero Gravel alloy handlebarSeatpost: LOOK LS1 UD carbonSaddle: LOOK x San Marco Shortfit Off-RoadRotors: SRAM Paceline 160mmColor: Speckled Purple / Neon OrangeShimano GRX Di2 212Frame/Fork: LOOK G85 Carbon UDHMCrankset: Shimano RX820, 48/31TLevers/Brakes: Shimano GRX 825-820Derailleur: Shimano GRX 825 Di2Cassette: Shimano HG710 12-speed, 11-36TWheels: Fulcrum Soniq Carbon 2WFTires: Hutchinson Touareg 700x45cCockpit: LOOK LS3 stem, Deda Superzero Gravel alloy handlebarSeatpost: LOOK LS1 UD carbonSaddle: LOOK x San Marco Shortfit Off-RoadRotors: Shimano RT-CL800 160mmColor: Speckled Sand / BlackShimano GRX 820 112 Frame/Fork: LOOK G85 Carbon UDHMCrankset: Shimano RX820, 40TLevers/Brakes: Shimano GRX 820 mechanical 12-speedRear Derailleur: Shimano GRX 820 mechanical 12-speedCassette: Shimano M7100, 10-45TWheels: Fulcrum Lite GR 2WFTires: Schwalbe G-One Perf 700x45cCockpit: LOOK LS3 stem, Deda Superzero Gravel alloy handlebarSeatpost: LOOK LS3 alloySaddle: LOOK x San Marco Shortfit Off-RoadRotors: Shimano RT-CL800 160mmColor: Petrol / WhiteLOOK Cezal G85 Frameset Frame: LOOK G85 Carbon UDHMFork: UD HM Carbon forkBottom Bracket: T47Dropout: UDHSeatpost: 27.2mmTire Clearance: 50mm rear in 1x, 45mm rear in 2x, 50mm-plus frontOther Features: Full internal routing, downtube storage box and pouch, suspension-ready for up to 60mm travelRide Impressions The LOOK G85 Cezal is one of those bikes that could sneak up on people, but only in the other paint jobs. Because this purple-speckled black of our review ride is something special. No, it could sneak up because its not screaming anything. There are no gimmicks, no weird features that will be looked at as detours in a few years. Its just a very solid-looking (and riding) bike.LOOK is primarily known as the French road bike company (even though they did have some time in mountain bikes); they have that road DNA. The G85 Cezal rides like it was designed by a performance road brand, but didnt skip the off-road class. When youre on the hoods and chugging along, you feel the power transfer and the comfort. The geometry lets the rider sit balanced within the frame, and you get a good sense of the bike.Rides LikeThe closest I could compare the ride to would be the Colnago G4X. They are both creations of a primarily road brand, but have an ear to the ground in the off-road world. They have a similar get up and go to the response of pedaling and stiffness, but where the G4X missed the compliance mark slightly, the G85 Ceza nails it.Gravel frames from road (mostly) manufacturers can come off as too stiff and uncomfortable on the actual gravel, or noodly and spongy when you need to give it the beans. The LOOK G85 Cezal gives a balanced ride of both. I could feel the thin seatstays providing support over the medium gravel on most of my rides. Paired with the round 27.2 seatpost, I felt enough support to push harder.But if youre not just a racer, you have the option to take the detour. A slight change in the stack and a shorter stem (its only a pain to swap if you need to change the bars) will drastically change the bikes mood. However, the bikes performance will not. The pedaling response will be there, and the same goes for the features that make it walk the adventure/race line well enough to call it out.The practical things like the internal frame storage and the seatpost clamp are signs that LOOK didnt just pull over parts from a previous design. They are fully committed to the gravel game, and were glad to see it.Force AXS XPLRAs for a spec, the LOOK G85 Cezal nails it imo. The SRAM Force AXS XPLR group is one of (if not the best) on the market right now. I personally like the Force shifter more than the RED because the thumb bonus shifter is more pronounced and easier to use. Most, if not all, gravel riders will appreciate the smart build. It would be nice to see a power meter included, but without it, the weight is slightly down, and hopefully, a lower price translates to the rider.Wheels For The WindThe Fulcrum Soniq Carbon 2WF were new to me, and I have to say I was a bit taken aback by their performance. I expected a bit of a windsail, especially in the long, wide open slogging sections of the gravel world, but they were not. The engagement is solid, a mix of too much and just enough. The rim width paired well with the 45mm Hutchinson tires, and gave a nice (though slightly narrow) rolling profile. One of the best features of the wheels was how they ate up the flat and rolling miles of gravel. I felt like I had a tailwind sometimes when I got them up to speed, and in strong gusts of wind, they held steady.I loved seeing the Hutchinson Touareg tire spec on the LOOK G85 Cezal. Im personally a fan of the Hutchinson gravel line, and it doesnt get enough credit (or distribution) in the USA. Hopefully, that will change now that more riders will get some time on them.I would recommend the LOOK G85 Cezal for a rider interested in performance gravel and off-road exploration, where performance and fun are the key factors. You could be doing a two-day trip on the weekend and hitting a gravel race with aero wheels the next.The post The LOOK G85 Cezal Fast & Playful Gravel Bike With Real Race Intent appeared first on Bikerumor.

Maxxis has unveiled an updated version of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, promising notable gains in durability and grip without compromising rolling speed. The Taiwanese brand says the next-generation MaxxTerra has been developed in response to rider demand for longer-lasting tyres that still perform on the trails. According to Maxxis, the revised compound delivers a 30 per cent increase in tread wear and durability, alongside a 15 per cent boost in traction over the outgoing version. Read more: Maxxis unveils new 32in tyre range alongside more capable Aspen AT Crucially, those gains are said to come without any penalty in rolling resistance a key factor for trail riders looking for a mountain bike tyre to balance speed with control. Maxxis' New MaxxTerra compound is said to offer improved durability without a rolling resistance penalty. Maxxis Maxxis says its engineers have spent extensive time refining and testing the compound, aiming to extend tyre lifespan and reduce the frequency of replacements something that will likely appeal to many given the rising cost of components. The new MaxxTerra compound will be introduced across the brands trail tyre range in phases, with the first products available now. Sidewall branding has been simplified. Maxxis Updated tyres can be identified by 'New MaxxTerra' branding on the packaging, while the sidewall badge has been simplified from '3C MaxxTerra' to 'MaxxTerra'. If the claims hold up on the trail, the update could mark a meaningful step forward for one of Maxxis most widely used compounds.

Versatility seems to be a theme this week, and Look's new gravel race bike is here to underline it.

The latest chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding the UCIs plans to implement new rules on gear restrictions took place this week, six months after a trial at the Tour of Guangxi was halted by the Belgian Competition Authority

At just 19, Paul Seixas is no longer being framed as a rider for the future. The conversation has already shifted to what he is doing now. A stage win and second overall at the Volta ao Algarve, second behind Tadej Pogacar at Strade Bianche, victory at Faun Ardeche Classic and then a dominant overal...