Decathlon CMA CGM Teammhas confirmed its roster for the 2026 Giro dItalia, with the French setup targeting both the general classification and the bunch sprints. Felix Gall and Tobias Lund Andresen headline the teams eight-man squad. With a balanced mix of climbers and fast men, the team approa...

With the Cinturato Gravel H, Pirelli enter our test with a tire specifically optimised for hardpack and other fast surfaces. Puncture protection and high efficiency sit right at the top of the Italian gravel tires brief. But how does it perform in our big test for the best gravel tire of 2026?Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H | 574.0 g in 45-622 | 79.90 | Manufacturers websiteWith the Cinturato Gravel H, Pirelli are targeting riders looking for a fast, dependable gravel tire that really comes into its own on hard surfaces. To achieve that, this tire from the proven Cinturato range comes well equipped: a dedicated rubber compound is meant to help the Gravel H perform in both dry and wet conditions, while consistently delivering a high level of reliability.The tread design is low-profile, with large flat knobs along the central strip. Towards the shoulders, the knobs become larger and more widely spaced. At the very edges, Pirelli use aggressive shoulder knobs with wider spacing to improve cornering grip. It looks like a well thought-out tread concept designed to balance efficiency and traction, but can the Cinturato Gravel H really deliver on that promise in this test?Hardpack Specialist with Limits: Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H in the 2026 Gravel Tire Group TestAt 574 g, the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H sits exactly on the average weight for the gravel tires in this test field. It is neither outstanding nor disappointing, but solid enough. Rolling resistance, on the other hand, suits its intended use on fast terrain very well. At 13.5 W, the tire is genuinely quick, placing just below the test field average. It is also clearly faster than the more aggressive Pirelli Cinturato Gravel S, while performing at roughly the same level as the Cinturato M, which is aimed at mixed surfaces. That makes for a very good starting point for a hardpack specialist.Grip, however, is less convincing. Despite the dedicated rubber compound and the abundance of knobs, this gravel tire lacks bite on soft surfaces. On asphalt and hardpack, that is still perfectly acceptable, but as soon as the surface gets looser, such as on light gravel, the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H starts to slide quite quickly. On wet and muddy ground, the tire soon begins to feel uncertain, which noticeably limits its range of use. Handling also sits more on the sluggish side, feeling a little vague overall. So this is not a gravel tire for attacking hard and fast, or dropping into steep descents with confidence. If you are after a predictable and agile ride feel, this one is unlikely to fully satisfy.Compliance is more convincing, sitting slightly above average and giving the Cinturato Gravel H a pleasantly comfortable ride quality. It is worth experimenting with tire pressure here to find your own ideal balance between comfort and performance. Puncture protection is average overall, landing around the middle of the field in both pinch-flat resistance and puncture protection. There is no cause for concern, but nor does it offer exceptionally high puncture protection.AGILITYcumbersomebalancedplayfulGRIPlowhighCOMPLIANCElowhighROLLING RESISTANCEslowfastPINCH-FLAT PROTECTIONlowhighPUNCH RESISTANCElowhighConclusion on the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel HTrue to its name, the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H is optimised for hardpack, and that is exactly how this gravel tire rides. On hardpack and asphalt, it is a solid performer with fitting efficiency and acceptable puncture protection. But as soon as conditions become wet, muddy or loose, the Cinturato Gravel H shows clear weaknesses in grip and handling that firmly limit its range to fast, firm surfaces.TopsGood efficiencyGood complianceFlopsLimited gripMade in Italy | Size (ETRO) 45-622 | Width in mm 46 Height in mm 40,43 | Weight 574.0 g | Price 79.90measured dimensions at 1.75 3.0 Bar, depending on tire widthMore information at pirelli.com.The TestfieldThis tire was tested as part of the Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026 an overview of this comparison test as well as all other tested gravel tires can be found in the comprehensive comprehensive Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026. For the top models in the racing category, you should take a look at the Race Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026.Challenge: Getaway XP | Gravine XPContinental: Dubnital | Terra Adventure | Terra Competition | Terra Hardpack | Terra SpeedGoodyear: Connector Inter | Connector SpeedHutchinson: Caracal RaceMAXXIS: Rambler | ReaverMichelin: Power Adventure | Power GravelPirelli: Cinturato Gravel H | Cinturato Gravel M | Cinturato Gravel SRene Herse: Corkscrew Climb TC Semi-SlickSchwalbe: G-One RS Pro | G-One RX Pro | G-One R Pro | Thunder Burt | G One Overland ProSpecialized: Pathfinder TLR | Tracer TLR | Terra TLRVittoria: Terreno Pro T30 | Terreno Pro T50 | Terreno Pro T60WTB: Vulpine S | Vulpine | ResoluteDer Beitrag Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H in the 2026 Gravel Tire Group Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Uno-X Mobility's Anne Dorthe Ysland has been battling ulcerative colitis since 2022

Paul Seixas is about to be the youngest rider in almost a century to be at the start of the Tour de France, and he will have very high ambitions of finishing well up the overall classification. The Frenchman is backed up by Decathlon CMA CGM Team, from which there is little doubt that this is the ri...

Ready for adventure? Thats exactly what the Continental Terra Adventure promises, using MTB-inspired tread to deliver maximum grip and impressive off-road capability. We put this tire through its paces in our big 2026 gravel tire group test. Can it really live up to those claims?Continental Terra Adventure | 547.2 g in 45-622 | 61.95 | Manufacturers websiteWith the brand-new Terra Adventure, Continental are throwing the latest version of their popular all-round gravel tire into the fight for the best gravel tire of 2026. The idea behind the Terra Adventure is to squeeze out everything a gravel tire can offer. Whether you are riding on gravel, soft woodland ground or unpaved trails, this tire is meant to be a good companion on any surface. Add robust puncture protection and a light yet tough casing, and it sounds like a very promising overall package.To make that happen, Continental have gone for a mountain bike-inspired tread. The middle of the tire is covered with rows of low, square tread blocks, which deliver strong traction while keeping rolling resistance at an acceptable level. At the sides, aggressive shoulder knobs provide plenty of support when you lean the bike over and push through corners. This is quite an interesting tread concept for a tire claiming such good all-round performance the tread is visibly tuned for grip on soft surfaces, but its not sold as a mud specialist like similarly knobbly tires from other brands.Adventure Focused, but Not Without Compromises: Continental Terra Adventure in the 2026 Gravel Tire Group TestPositioned as a true adventure tire, the Continental Terra Adventure is meant to shine in every situation, but how does that play out in the real world? Within Continentals own range, it is the heaviest tire in the 45 mm width, though overall it still posts a respectable weight that helps support its agile ride feel. At 547 g, the Terra Adventure comes in almost 20 g below the average weight across the test field. That sounds promising, but rolling resistance tells a different story. At 19.2 watts, the Terra Adventure sits firmly on the sluggish side its by far the slowest Continental tire in the test. Even the extremely wide Dubnital MTB tire is 4.5 watts faster, which is a serious gap. Compared with the rest of the test field, the Terra Adventure also sits almost 4 watts higher than average. Only the WTB Vulpine and the WTB Resolute are slower. That comes as a slight surprise because out on the trail, the Terra Adventure does not feel especially efficient, but it never comes across as excessively draggy either.So does it make up for that with standout puncture protection? Not really. Like all Continental tires, the Terra Adventure delivers below-average performance when it comes to pinch-flat resistance, but it absolutely excels in puncture resistance. Alongside the Schwalbe G-One R Pro, it is clearly the best in the entire test field here. Even so, a tire built and marketed for adventure use should offer a little more protection against pinch flats to cope with a heavily loaded bike.When it comes to grip, though, the Terra Adventure really plays to its strengths. It delivers reliable traction on virtually every surface. Even in muddy conditions, the tire remains impressively grippy and confidence-inspiring, while its self-cleaning is very good too. The handling is equally balanced. The grippy side knobs offer plenty of support, especially when the bike is leaned over. Combined with the tacky tread pattern, this creates agile, direct handling that feels confidence-inspiring, yet still fun and lively, even if it does not quite match the razor-sharp agility of some other tires in the test. Compliance is fairly average, especially compared with the other Continental tires, with only the Terra Hardpack feeling a little firmer. Across the full test field, though, the Terra Adventure lands squarely in the middle, which is hardly an issue for adventure riding with luggage.AGILITYcumbersomebalancedplayfulGRIPlowhighCOMPLIANCElowhighROLLING RESISTANCEslowfastPINCH-FLAT PROTECTIONlowhighPUNCH RESISTANCElowhighConclusion on the Continental Terra AdventureThe Continental Terra Adventure is a clear-cut all-rounder with great grip and balanced riding characteristics. Standout features are the confidence-inspiring handling and excellent level of traction. It also offers very good puncture resistance and average compliance. Its weakness lies in efficiency. Still, if youre more concerned about versatility and adventure rather than counting every last watt, the Terra Adventure is an excellent tire that every bikepacker should take a closer look at.TopsLots of gripBalanced, confidence-inspiring handlingOutstanding puncture protectionFlopsLow efficiencyMade in China | Size (ETRO) 45-622 | Width in mm 43.4 Height in mm 41.63 | Weight 547.2 g | Price 61.95measured dimensions at 1.75 3.0 Bar, depending on tire widthMore information at continental.com.The TestfieldThis tire was tested as part of the Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026 an overview of this comparison test as well as all other tested gravel tires can be found in the comprehensive comprehensive Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026. For the top models in the racing category, you should take a look at the Race Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026.Challenge: Getaway XP | Gravine XPContinental: Dubnital | Terra Adventure | Terra Competition | Terra Hardpack | Terra SpeedGoodyear: Connector Inter | Connector SpeedHutchinson: Caracal RaceMAXXIS: Rambler | ReaverMichelin: Power Adventure | Power GravelPirelli: Cinturato Gravel H | Cinturato Gravel M | Cinturato Gravel SRene Herse: Corkscrew Climb TC Semi-SlickSchwalbe: G-One RS Pro | G-One RX Pro | G-One R Pro | Thunder Burt | G One Overland ProSpecialized: Pathfinder TLR | Tracer TLR | Terra TLRVittoria: Terreno Pro T30 | Terreno Pro T50 | Terreno Pro T60WTB: Vulpine S | Vulpine | ResoluteDer Beitrag Continental Terra Adventure in the 2026 Gravel Tire Group Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Tadej Pogacar is one of the most popular figures in cycling but simultaneously a polarizing one. His domination over the sport is owed to his tremendous talent on the bike and a very strong UAE Team Emirates - XRG collective; but Dutch pundit Thijs Zonneveld argues that his way of ruling over the pe...

With the Connector Speed, Goodyear enter the race for the best gravel tire of 2026 with a true specialist. Designed specifically for gravel racing on hard surfaces, this tire promises maximum speed thanks to its minimal tread. Does the concept deliver, or is efficiency gained at too great a cost to grip?Goodyear Connector Speed | 517.8 g in 45-622 | 69.95 | Manufacturers websiteThe Goodyear Connector Speed has one clear goal: maximum speed. Built for the fastest gravel races, its development focused on a single key factor above all else, maximum efficiency. The question is, how does this gravel tire pull off that trick?The answer lies in the tread. Along the centre, very low-profile knobs are designed to deliver top speed with minimal rolling resistance. On the shoulders, more pronounced, grippier knobs provide extra traction when cornering. Compared to its sibling, the Connector Inter, the Speed leans even more heavily towards efficiency, deliberately sacrificing tread depth and versatility. It is a clear and uncompromising concept, but can the Goodyear Connector Speed live up to its bold promises in this test?Fast at Any Cost: Goodyear Connector Speed in the 2026 Gravel Tire Group TestIt all sounds promising and, above all, fast. But how efficient is the tire really? At 518 g, the Goodyear Connector Speed brings the right credentials to the table. It is almost 50 g below the test field average, and around 40 g lighter than its sibling, the Connector Inter. The key figure here, however, is rolling resistance, and this is where things get interesting. The Connector Speed records 14.2 W, which taken in isolation is a respectable result. Surprisingly, though, the slightly more aggressive and marginally narrower Inter comes in just ahead at 14 W. Compared to the rest of the test field, the Connector Speed sits around 1 W below average, but for a gravel tire built entirely around maximum speed, that feels a little underwhelming. Thats especially notable when you consider that the grippier Schwalbe G-One RS Pro is around 3.5 W faster. Across a wheelset, that adds up to a significant 7 W difference.Unfortunately, the focus on efficiency does not come without trade-offs. Grip takes a particularly noticeable hit. In direct comparison, it falls below average, with the tire tending to feel slightly vague and prone to drifting, especially when riding aggressively on loose surfaces. The minimal tread further limits traction on wet and soft ground, which also affects the handling. The Connector Speed takes some getting used to, with a somewhat vague steering feel that can cause it to tip unpredictably in tight, slow corners. It behaves a little better in long, fast turns, but never feels truly composed or predictable.Where it really shines, however, is compliance. Like the Inter, the Connector Speed delivers an excellent level of comfort. Whether on rough gravel tracks or broken tarmac, it smooths out vibrations impressively well. Puncture protection, on the other hand, is less convincing. As with its sibling, it ranks below average. Protection against pinch flats scores just under the average, while resistance to punctures drops off more noticeably.AGILITYcumbersomebalancedplayfulGRIPlowhighCOMPLIANCElowhighROLLING RESISTANCEslowfastPINCH-FLAT PROTECTIONlowhighPUNCH RESISTANCElowhighConclusion on the Goodyear Connector SpeedThe Goodyear Connector Speed is all about speed, but its uncompromising focus brings a number of drawbacks. Grip, puncture protection and handling are, at best, average, while the tire claws back some points for its low weight and high comfort. All of this comes at the cost of an efficiency level that is good, but not outstanding. The Goodyear Connector Inter offers a more versatile overall package, with similar efficiency but far more grip.TopsLow weightHigh efficiencyHigh comfortFlopsPoor gripHandling takes some getting used toBelow-par puncture protectionMade in Taiwan | Size (ETRO) 45-622 | Width in mm 46,8 Height in mm 39,78 | Weight 517.8 g | Price 69.95measured dimensions at 1.75 3.0 Bar, depending on tire widthMore information at goodyearbike.com.The TestfieldThis tire was tested as part of the Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026 an overview of this comparison test as well as all other tested gravel tires can be found in the comprehensive comprehensive Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026. For the top models in the racing category, you should take a look at the Race Gravel Tire Comparison Test 2026.Challenge: Getaway XP | Gravine XPContinental: Dubnital | Terra Adventure | Terra Competition | Terra Hardpack | Terra SpeedGoodyear: Connector Inter | Connector SpeedHutchinson: Caracal RaceMAXXIS: Rambler | ReaverMichelin: Power Adventure | Power GravelPirelli: Cinturato Gravel H | Cinturato Gravel M | Cinturato Gravel SRene Herse: Corkscrew Climb TC Semi-SlickSchwalbe: G-One RS Pro | G-One RX Pro | G-One R Pro | Thunder Burt | G One Overland ProSpecialized: Pathfinder TLR | Tracer TLR | Terra TLRVittoria: Terreno Pro T30 | Terreno Pro T50 | Terreno Pro T60WTB: Vulpine S | Vulpine | ResoluteDer Beitrag Goodyear Connector Speed in the 2026 Gravel Tire Group Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

With the Giro dItalia about to approach, a quick look at the team standings. Theres the three year promotion and relegation cycle far away on the horizon but also the one year rankings and based on these right now Bardiani-CSF could be starting their final Giro on Friday.The table shows the team rankings for 2026. As a reminuder its based on the combined haul of the 20 best points scorers on each team. Theres more detail on the system here and the points tables here. Blue bars are WorldTeams, red are ProTeams from cyclings second tier.Tadej Pogaars just collected 800 points from the Tour de Romandie partly thanks to four stage wins (60 each time) and the GC (500 points), as much as winning a Monument. Isaac del Toro is their second best scorer and can you guess the third? Its an anagram of forensic bony toe. The team is on 27 wins already.Jayco are doing well, largely thanks to a 2,037 haul from Mauro Schmid as without him theyd be among the likes of Movistar and NSN.Ineoss top scorer is Egan Bernal. Dorian Godon is next, building on his strengths as a finisseur to now win regularly in World Tour races. The team is second to UAE when it comes to wins with 19 but clearly not second on the rankings.Cofidis are doing well, in large part thanks to Ion Izagirre who has announced his retirement but isnt slowing down yet.Last week Lotto-Intermarch were in 18th place but have the biggest move this week up to 14th thanks to Georg Zimmermans win in Eschborn-Frankfurt and Arnaud De Lie back to winning ways in the Famenne Ardenne Classic. Lotto always seem to struggle during the core classics season on their home roads, recent results confirm this.Groupama-FDJ have been languishing but Roman Grgoires performances in the Ardennes have been salvatory, without him theyd be sandwiched between Caja Rural and Burgos. This lack of results has seen mild public criticism of Valentin Madouas for sitting at the back of the peloton and hoping to sail past when others crack, only few crack these days. LEquipe reports theyre shopping for a GC contender and a sprinte, who is on the market and who suits?Problems are piling up for EF. Richard Carapaz is out of the Giro, following on from long term injuries for Neilson Powless and Harry Sweeney, plus Ben Healy missed the classics with illness. Remember they have launched a public appeal to find a replacement title sponsor and the reduced visibility wont help.Picnic-PostNL now have their first win thanks to Casper Van Uden in the Tour of Trkiye, theyve been the last World Tour team without a win. Nor have they been close very often, theyre 30th in the rankings. There are rules to say only the top-30 teams are eligible for a wildcard invite to the grand tours but theyre safe for invites as a World Tour squad, but it illustrates the depth of their slump. Remember they have a one year World Tour licence, theyre on watch to stabilise their finances but their plight is not easy for them and their sponsors. Its very early the promotion and relegation cycle but need to turn things around to convince the UCI and fans alike that they belong with the best.The top-30 rule does apply to Bardiani CSF 7 Saber, only theyre off the chart in 34th place, with 764 points. So as things stand theyre ineligible for next years Giro. The Giro will be difficult for them as Visma and UAE will leave few crumbs for the other teams, let alone them. Theyll need to score elsewhere. Rivals SolutionTech Nippo Rali have proved more adept here, signing riders who have scored in their national and continental championships like Carlos Samudio or house sprinter Duan Rajovi who has 10 UCI wins this season, one more than Pogaar.With Picnic getting a win, they and Groupama-FDJ, Movistar, Soudal Quickstep and Jayco are the squads left without a World Tour level win this year.Theres no news on a replacement sponsor for Total Energies. Whether its Total, Visma, EF or others, the deadline is not 31 December. Instead its already getting late. Teams need to know their budget for next year today in order to recruit and retain riders, as plenty of deals are being done in the market now.For all the movement up and down the rankings tables at the moment, will all these teams continue to exist in six months time?The post UCI Team Rankings first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Pre-Tour racing also finalised for his Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe teammate Florian Lipowitz