Revel bikes, have you heard of them? If you were into mountain biking in 2019 then you probably will have. They were originally based out of Colorado USA and were a niche but well respected brand, a few years on and they hit the same woes as many companies in the cycle industry and the owner Adam Miller sold the company to a private equity. They in turn ended up closing the company. Then in 2026 Adam bought the company back and the next chapter of Revel Bikes began. Sounds like a fairy story or great marketing doesnt it but its all true. This time though Revel isnt just based in the USA, Thomas Dibley now owns the UK arm of the company and is based in Abergavenny in the heart of Wales. Revel bikes will primarily sell bikes direct to the customer with maybe a few premium shops in the UK.So, great news that Revel are back but why i hear you ask am I writing this when the website is call UKgravelCO? Thats because this time round Revel have a gravel bike, infact they have 2. A titanium frame and the one I got to test which is a carbon framed bike called the Revel Rover.i really want to sharpie mars on thisRevel Rover bridleway specialistThomas got in touch and asked if Id like to try the bike out, I was hardly going to say no was I?! He then actually hand delivered the bike to my door on the day Revel Bikes UK officially launched! Ive managed to get two weeks of intensive riding on the bike, mostly on familiar routes so I could compare how it rides to bikes Im used to.Im always a little trepidatious about bikes designed in the US. They tend to have minimal tyre clearance, which is fine in say California for example and some states even ban off road riding if its wet, In the UK that would mean no riding for around 5 months a year. I was relieved though to find that the Revel Rover is right on trend and has the capacity to run 700x50mm tyres (27.5 x 2.1) In fact the fork clearance looks very generous and some experimentation with a bigger front tyre could be worth trying. Again another up to date feature is the UDH (universal deraileur hanger) allowing all the new Sram road XPLR (and MTB) rear mechs to fit. The frame has internal routing.stop, I know this will make some of you groan but the internal routing on the Revel Rover has internal tubing. No fishing about in the frame hoping the cable will magically find the exit, just push the hose or cable in one end and out it pops in the right place, fantastic! Theres more though because the hoses or cables dont route through the headset, so no dismantling of the bike to change a bearing or a big bike shop labour bill to fit a 20 part. Well done Revel!Revel Rover generous clearanceRevel Rover clearance for days!Its also refreshing to see that Revel has chosen not to got down the aero is everything road. there are some lovely curves and profiles on the bike such as the hour glass seatstays and it even has a proper seat post clamp, not a wedge or bolt hidden in the frame. It also has a round seatpost rather than an eliptical one so fitting a dropper post if you want one is much easier. The frame has 3 sets of bottle bosses inside the front triangle and one set under the down tube near the bottom bracket. interestingly there are no top tube or fork bottle mounts or mudguard eyelets.Revel Rover standard headset, yes, yes!Revel Rover hydration is keyThroughout the range of builds on the Revel website the one common denominator is the frame and fork so even of you go for the entry level Sram Apex build youll still get the same frame as the top specification bike. The only change is the bike colour. The bike on test is the sin city colour and I presume this refers to the black and white film of the same name as the frame is a mix of white and black.or is it? Actually in direct sunlight the black paint sparkles with reds, blues, purples and is a real feature. Weirdly though the Revel frame branding is under the top tube so youve got to get on your knees or turn the bike over to see it.this does not do the pint justiceRevel Rover understated brandingI tend not to mention the finishing kit on bikes as its all so subjective and riders will probably fit their favourite saddle, stem and handle bars the first day they get the bike but if its your first bike then the carbon Zipp bars, stem and SDG saddle are top quality items. This bike came with Srams Force XPLR groupset, a pair of Zipp 303s wheels and Revels own branded carbon seatpost, very fancy. The size large bike weighed in at just under 19.8lbs/8.98kg. Special mention must go to the new shape Sram levers, they are 100 times better than the old shape, they actually feel like theyve been designed for off road riding whereas the old lever was just the standard road one co-opted into a gravel groupset. Brake feel was tremendous and as a long time Shimano user who has never got on with Sram brakes at all these are far in away the best Sram brakes Ive used performance and asthetic wise. The crisp shift of the electronic AXS rear mech was faultless too.The gearing is 1 x 13, 40t chanring and 10-46t cassette. Finally I must mention the tyres and commend who ever decided to spec the bike with Maxxis Rambler tyres (here in 45mm size) as they are an excellent all rounder and reflect that someone who has ridden a gravel bike off road has had a hand in it. Too many new off the peg gravel bikes come with slick or semi slick tyres which are at the very least unsuitable for most conditions and sometimes lethal in those wet UK months I mentioned above. Round of applause emoji for Revel Bikes for that.Revel Rover curvesland?classy kitcool comfortSo to the most important part, how did the Revel Rover ride? As youd expect of a bike weighing sub 9kg it climbs very well the 10-46 cassette was low enough paired with the 40t chanring for me not to miss the 38-11x51t set up on my personal bike. I was able to spin up gradients that would have had me standing up on my regular bike. Being able to change gear with one finger with the electronic shifters encouraged rowdy behaviour on the flat and downhill. The frame is very responsive to pedal input, theres hardly if any side to side movement when putting the power down, only my leg and lung capacity held it back. It felt like a race bike on climbs and the flat but then point it down hill on something rooty and twisty and the bike wasnt skittish like youd assume a race bike would be. Neither was it slow and ponderous to steer. It was confident and sure footed. The head angle is 71.5 degrees so not super slack and not twitchy. The excellent tyres also contribute to this. The Zipp wheels were stiff and direct but at no time did I feel like all the terrain roughness was being transmitted through the frame into me so those frame profiles were working as designed to protect the rider. I could sit and batter on through the rough stuff without feeling broken myself.Revel Rover cafe stopRevel Rover pie shop ride (ultra race not pictured)So the Revel Rover rides beautifully, it has impeccable manners but it will respond instantly if you want to push it hard. The only thing you might have to get creative with is if you want to go on long bike packing trips. It would be great for credit card touring (or lightpacking) with minimal kit or the Ultra races/Gravel sportives but the lack of fork mount and top tube bosses might hold you back from long tours carrying all your worldly goods. There are more specialised bikes for that though.Revel Rover and grass up the middleRevel Rover not motorised!At slow speeds the bike is mild mannered and perfect for everyday riding with a bar bag and a bell on the bars on a cafe run and then like a super hero you could pop into a phonebox, swap the bar bag for a hydration vest, fill the multiple bottle mounts with your favourite electrolyte and go and ride an ultra!The Revel Rover is pitched as an all rounder and thats exactly what it is, mild mannered if you want but put your foot down and itll fly. The design of easy internal routing is refreshing to see and the enlightened specification of the kit on the bike just adds to this ready for anything feel.you can find more details on the Revel Rover at the Revel bikes website for a look at how the bike rides pleae watch the youtube video below and please consider subscribing!

Picture: Members of Mitchelstown GAA are pictured ahead of welcoming Rs Tailteann to the town for the stage three start of the 2026 race.Cairde Rs Tailteann is delighted to confirm that Mitchelstown, Co. Cork will host the stage three start of the 2026 Rs Tailteann on Friday, May 22nd, as Irelands most historic and prestigious stage race continues its journey across the country.Following two demanding opening stages, riders will gather at Mitchelstown GAA Club before making their way through the towns Georgian Quarter to New Square for the ceremonial start. From there, the race will head out on the road to Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford for a fast and technical stage covering 155.6 kilometres.The route will take the riders through Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Wexford, with mostly flat roads but a twisting and technical profile that could still play a major role in the overall race. Two Category 3 climbs feature along the way, while an uphill finish into Enniscorthy is expected to provide a dramatic conclusion to the stage.Cairde Rs Tailteann would like to thank the local community in Mitchelstown along with Cork County Council and all local partners for their support in hosting the stage start. Significant preparations are underway across the town, with Mitchelstown Tidy Towns, the Community Council, Business Association and local schools all playing a key role in welcoming the race.A range of activities are planned in the lead-up to the event, beginning with Bike Week on May 11th, while Cycling Ireland will provide skills sessions for local primary school children on the morning of the race. Additional community initiatives include cycling promotion through local businesses, art competitions and community engagement projects centred around the event.Race Director Ger Campbell said: We are delighted that Mitchelstown will host the stage three start of the 2026 Rs Tailteann. After two tough opening stages, this is the kind of day that can still catch riders out, with fast roads, technical sections and a difficult uphill finish waiting in Enniscorthy. Mitchelstown is a great location to send the race on its way, and we are looking forward to seeing the community come out and support the riders.Ciara OBrien, stage start organiser, added: It is a great honour for Mitchelstown to host a stage start of Rs Tailteann. There is huge excitement locally with so many groups and organisations coming together to prepare for the event. We are looking forward to welcoming the riders, teams and supporters and giving them a memorable send-off from the town.Anne Finn, Chairperson of Mitchelstown GAA, said: The committee and players of Mitchelstown GAA are delighted to welcome the teams participating in stage three of the Rs Tailteann. Our location overlooking the Galtee Mountains will give riders a great introduction to this stage as they travel towards the Galtee Vee Valley.With a fast and technical stage ahead and a strong community effort behind the start, Mitchelstown is set to provide a warm welcome and a fitting send-off as stage three of the 2026 Rs Tailteann gets underway.

Picture: Natural Greatness Rali Al in action during the 2026 season.Cairde Rs Tailteann is delighted to announce Natural Greatness Rali Al as one of our visiting teams for the 2026 event as the Spanish outfit returns to Irish roads with strong ambitions.Based in Alcoy, Alicante, the team has a proven track record at Rs Tailteann from previous editions under its former BrocarAl structure. They made a significant impact in 2022, where Louis Sutton took a stage victory and wore the yellow jersey before going on to finish second overall, underlining the teams ability to compete at the highest level in the race.The team has built a strong reputation for developing riders and providing opportunities for Irish and British talent to progress to UCI level, while also attracting emerging riders from across Europe and beyond. They are currently ranked second among U23 teams in Spain, highlighting the strength and consistency of their programme. Natural Greatness Rali Al arrives into the 2026 season in excellent form, having recently secured a major victory at one of Spains most prestigious Copa Espaa races, underlining the depth within their squad.For this years Rs Tailteann, the team will target both stage wins and a strong general classification result while also using the race as a platform to connect with riders from outside Spain. The team is keen to hear from riders interested in progressing their careers at an international level. You can follow this teams journey on all social media and for any information for foreign riders just contact Raceinspain on instagram.Speaking ahead of the race, the team said: We are delighted to return to Rs Tailteann in 2026. It is a race that suits our ambitions and provides a great platform to showcase the team at a high level in Europe. We are focused on delivering strong performances across the week, with the aim of fighting for stage wins and being competitive on general classification. We are also always looking to connect with talented riders internationally, and Rs Tailteann provides a great opportunity to do that.Race Director Ger Campbell added: Natural Greatness Rali Al is a team with a strong history in Rs Tailteann and they have already shown what they are capable of in previous editions. A stage win and second overall is a serious performance and they will arrive again this year with clear ambition. They are another team that will be right in the mix throughout the week.

Reddy A+U City Centre CritKings Island, Limerick Saturday 9th May 2026A fantastic days racing on the streets of Kings Island Limerick. The weather gods were good to us with clear blue skies and a cool, stiff northerly breeze.Racing started with the U6/8/10 race at 2.10pm over one lap of the 950m closed circuit. The U12, U14 and U16 races were very competitive, with Munster Criterium medals up for grabs for those Munster riders.U12 Race 2.20pm, 5 lapsPosRiderClubGapYOBMunster1Jack FarrellBohermeen CC20152Jaxon JenningsBear Cycling9.8s20153Caroline CollinsSliabh Luachra CC38.0s2014U12 Girls Gold4Sophia QuigleyWaterford Racing Club52.3s2014U12 Girls Silver5Emily ONeillWestern Lakes CC52.8s20146Shane McAuliffeOLeary Stone Kanturk57.0s2014U12 Boys Gold7Albert Matei TodorGreenmount CA1:29.52015U11 Boys Gold8Liam CosgraveGreenmount CA2:05.12015U11 Boys Silver9Ryan HigginsOLeary Stone Kanturk1 lap2015U11 Boys Bronze10Jack OBrienGreenmount CA1 lap2015Team Gold Greenmount CA: Todor, Cosgrave & OBrienU14 Race 2.30pm, 11 lapsPosRiderClubGapYOBMunster1Cullen MurphyOLeary Stone Kanturk21:262012U14 Boys Gold2Joel CumminsOLeary Stone Kanturk0.7s2013U13 Boys Gold3Fiachra GardnerWestport Covey Wheelers CC1 lap20124J-Jay OBrienBohermeen CC20125Cara OSullivanSliabh Luachra CC2013U13 Girls Gold6Donnacha HynesTuam Cycling Club20137Emma KellyWaterford Racing Club2013U13 Girls Silver8Brian MulvaneySliabh Luachra CC2013U13 Boys Silver9Cillian CrowleyGreenmount CA2013U13 Boys Bronze10Katelynne OBrienBohermeen CC11Laura CondonOLeary Stone Kanturk2013Team Gold OLeary Stone Kanturk: Murphy, Cummins & CondonU16 Race 3.20pm, 22 lapsPosRiderClubGapYOBMunster1Kieran MulvaneySliabh Luachra CC37:502010U16 Boys Gold2Tom LaneDan Morrissey Pissei CT1.2s2010U16 Boys Silver3Brian CullenDan Morrissey Pissei CT1 lap2010U16 Boys Bronze4Darragh CollinsNewcastle West CC20105Ethan RealSliabh Luachra CC2011U15 Boys Gold6William McNallyDungarvan CC2011U15 Boys Silver7Ryan OSullivanSliabh Luachra CC2011U15 Boys Bronze8James OBrienOrwell Wheelers CC20119Iollan WalshGreenmount CA201110Andrew CoxSliabh Luachra CC201111Jennifer CondonOLeary Stone Kanturk2010U16 Girls Gold12Dillon OSullivanSliabh Luachra CC201113Muireann FentonSliabh Luachra CC2010U16 Girls Silver14Caoilfhionn FoleySliabh Luachra CC2011U15 Girls Gold15Aodhan SheppardGreenmount CA2011Team Gold Sliabh Luachra CC: Mulvaney, Real & OSullivan [See image gallery at www.irishcyclingnews.com] M50 / M60 / Womens Race 4pm, 23 lapsGreenmount almost had a clean sweep. Bruno Coppola took his first win with a fine sprint from a five-man group. Paul Birchall finished ahead of Liam Kennedy in the M60 category, while Amy Kinsella (Panduit Carrick Wheelers) got the better of Veronika Krolova in the Womens category.PosRiderClubTime / Gap1Bruno CoppolaGreenmount CA42:27.42Vincent GleesonGreenmount CA1.9s3Niall McCarronTralee Manor West BC2.0s4John OHalloranWestern Lakes CC2.0s5Derry McNamaraBurren Cycling Club2.9s6Paul BirchallGreenmount CA1:077Kieran MoloneyClub Rothaiochta Na Sionainne1:118Liam KennedyGreenmount CA1:129Daragh MooreLimerick Cycling Club1 lap10Bernard OConnellLimerick Cycling Club11Amy KinsellaPanduit Carrick Wheelers12Veronika KrolovaGreenmount CA13Siobhan ArdenerNewcastle West CC14Richard CliffordGreenmount CA15Ian GilvarryGreenmount CAM40 Race 6.30pm, 28 lapsAn exciting race dominated by three riders. Keith Walsh (Greenmount CA) was joined first by Barry Meade and then Daniel Lynch (both OLeary Stone Kanturk), and the trio built a lead over the entire field. Tralee Manor West duo Shane Fleming and Vinny OLeary made a great effort to chase but could not match the pace of the front three. Lynch, who was looking very strong, shipped a chain with a lap to go, leaving two to fight it out for victory. Walsh repeated his win of last year, narrowly beating Meade in the sprint.PosRiderClubTime / Gap1Keith WalshGreenmount CA43:11.12Barry MeadeOLeary Stone Kanturk0.1s3Daniel LynchOLeary Stone Kanturk12.0s4Vinny OLearyTralee Manor West BC1 lap5Shane FlemingTralee Manor West BC6Alan BrigdaleBurren Cycling Club7Joseph DonworthGreenmount CA8Sean ConroyGreenmount CA9Risteard ODomhnaillGaeltacht.cc10Keith HynesTuam Cycling ClubElite Mens Race 7.30pm, 42 lapsThe main event, run over 55 minutes plus 5 laps. Paul Kennedy (Burren CC) led the race from start to finish, building a lead in the first few laps with young teammate Philip OConnor bridging across to join him. The pair worked well together. Junior rider John OMahony (Newcastle West CC) and Arnaud Dumoulin (OLeary Stone Kanturk) both worked hard to close the gap at the front of a five-man chase group.After 20 minutes, Kennedy left OConnor and set off to lap the field. OMahony later broke clear of the chase group and bridged up to OConnor; the two worked well together and also lapped the field. Kennedy, consistently riding laps of 1:26, won with a lap to spare, with OConnor taking the sprint for 2nd. Behind, Liam Kilkenny (Galway Bay CC) came through to win the battle for 4th from Dumoulin, Ben OKeeffe (Newcastle West CC) and Daniel Bresnan (Greenmount CA).PosRiderClubTime / Gap1Paul KennedyBurren Cycling Club1:02:54.52Philip OConnorBurren Cycling Club1:113John OMahonyNewcastle West CC1:124Liam KilkennyGalway Bay CC2 laps5Arnaud DumoulinOLeary Stone Kanturk6Ben OKeeffeNewcastle West CC7Daniel BresnanGreenmount CA8Shane DonohueAthy Wheelers CC9James CrowleyBandon Cycling Club10Dean OBrienBlarney Cycling Club11Dillon LynchKildorrery Cycling ClubWith thanksA massive thanks to everyone who made this race possible. John Moran our Mayor and his staff. Our sponsors Reddy A+O and Hugh Kelly as well as Robbie from JJ Kenneally Jewellers for sponsoring the prizes and Festina watches, Cycling Muster for providing the support and Munster Medals. Thanks to our commissaries Roddy, Brian and Jim, Ed English as chief marshal and David Mullin from Cycling Ireland on results, chip timing and photo finish. Niall and the Red Cross for keeping everyone safe. Tony and Fiona in Katie Dalys HQ for the delicious BBQ burgers, Tony Guerin as our Moto Marshal, Sgt Mick Gallagher, Sgt Mick Byrne, Will OMahony the local Garda on bikes, Lara, William, Pat and everyone in Limerick CCC who assisted with the organising of the race, Calvin and Jonathan from Treaty Traffic, John in SRL Traffic Systems, Ger Riordan in Bus Eireann and Gus Quin, a local who swept up glass and all the locals in the Kings Island area who made us feel welcome. Thanks to all the Greenmount crew who ran the HQ, marshalled, setup and took down the course and all around the circuit Sharon, Miriam, Jill, Nuadha, Eoin, Paul, Veronika, Sean, Bruno, Ian, Risn, Brian, Ger, Liam, Michael, Hugh, Darach, James, Louis, Colm (x2), Elaine, Sheila, Keith, Peter and Richie.

Alongside Tour de l'Avenir, the Giro Next Gen are the biggest under-23 stage races on the UCI calendar, second only to World and European Championships on the one-day race side. With legendary champions on its roll of honour such as Marco Pantani, Francesco Moser, Gilberto Simoni or Danilo Di Luca,...

Picture: Pictured at Banteer Community Sports Field are members of the local organising committee and community representatives ahead of the stage two finish of the 2026 Rs Tailteann.Back (left to right): Connie Tarrant, Nicholas Corkery, Denis Withers, Dermot McCarthyFront (left to right): Margaret Corkery, Denise OKeeffe, Mary Cahill, Catherine CahillCairde Rs Tailteann is delighted to confirm that Banteer, Co. Cork will host the finish of stage two of the 2026 Rs Tailteann on Thursday, May 21st, as Irelands most historic and prestigious stage race returns for its 71st edition.Stage two will begin in Rathmore, Co. Kerry and cover 192.7 kilometres before the riders race into Banteer for what promises to be a thrilling and hard-earned finish. Following the start in Kerry, the race will make its way into Cork over one of the most demanding routes of the week.A long and testing day awaits the riders, with six categorised climbs shaping the stage. 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 Tunnel Road and Caha Pass before descending into Glengarriff. A further Category 3 climb follows before the long ascent to Gougane Gap, with two additional Category 3 climbs on the approach to Banteer completing a selective and demanding day in the saddle.Banteer is steeped in Rs tradition, having produced riders who have finished first, second, third and fourth overall in the race Dillon Corkery (winner in 2023), Paudie OBrien (second in 2007), Mick Cahill (third in 1973) and Eddie Dunbar (fourth in 2016). It is a remarkable achievement for a village of its size and highlights its special place in Irish cycling. Adding to that connection, stage two will pass the Corkery, Dunbar and Cahill family homes before finishing outside the OBrien family home, making it a uniquely special route for the local community.Cairde Rs Tailteann would like to sincerely thank Cork County Council along with local councillors and TDs for their support to date in bringing the stage finish to Banteer, including their assistance with funding. Special thanks also to Niall Healy, Director of Services, and Billy OSullivan, Executive Engineer, who are working closely with the local community and councillors to ensure the roads in and around the village are in the best possible condition for the event.Thanks are also extended to the many local clubs and volunteers who are coming forward to assist with stewarding, parking and catering on the day and in particular to Banteer Tidy Towns who are working to ensure the village looks its best for this major occasion.The local organising committee has been working closely with the Rs Tailteann team over the past number of months, with regular meetings to ensure all plans are in place. The group is also very thankful to the local Garda, including Inspector Paul Aherne and Garda Katryn Canty, who are assisting in putting in place the traffic management plan for the day.Race Director Ger Campbell said: We are absolutely delighted to bring the finish of stage two to Banteer. It is a village with a remarkable cycling tradition and a deep connection to the history of the Rs. With six categorised climbs before the finish, the riders will really have to earn their result here, and we know the welcome in Banteer will be something special.Nick Corkery, stage end organiser, said: It is a huge honour for Banteer to host a stage finish of Rs Tailteann. This village has always had a special love for the race, and there is enormous pride locally in the cycling tradition that has come from this area. To have the Rs finish here after Dillons overall victory in 2023 makes it even more meaningful for our family and for the wider community. We are looking forward to welcoming the riders, teams and supporters to Banteer and giving them a very warm reception.Denis Withers, stage end organiser, added: There is great excitement building in Banteer ahead of this stage finish. Hosting an event of this scale is a proud moment for the village, and people are already looking forward to seeing the race come through the area. We would encourage everyone to come out, enjoy the day and help create a brilliant atmosphere for what promises to be a memorable finish.With a long and demanding route from Kerry into Cork and six categorised climbs before the finish, stage two is expected to play a major role in shaping the overall race. Banteer now looks forward to welcoming riders, teams, officials and supporters for what promises to be a memorable day in the village.

Picture: Pictured outside Reens Garage in Rathmore, where the flag will drop for stage two of the 2026 Rs Tailteann, are members of Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club, local sponsors and community representatives ahead of the race coming to town.Left to right: Niall Kelleher (Kerry County Councillor and Chair, Rathmore Community Council), Timmy Reen (Reens Rathmore), Kieran OKeeffe (OKeeffes Oil Rathmore), Donie Kelleher (Sliabh Luachra CC), Dan Dennehy (Dennehy Transport, Millstreet), Eileen Buckley and Emer Carty (Clover Hill Foods, Millstreet), John Reen (Reens Rathmore) and Tim Murphy (Sliabh Luachra CC). Photographer: John Tarrant, The Corkman.Cairde Rs Tailteann is delighted to confirm that Rathmore, Co. Kerry will host the stage two start of the 2026 Rs Tailteann on Thursday, May 21st, as Irelands most historic and prestigious stage race continues its journey across the country.Following the opening stage from Portlaoise to Kilmallock, riders will gather in Rathmore on Thursday morning before setting out on one of the most demanding stages of the race, with a challenging route ahead to Banteer, Co. Cork.Parking for teams and race vehicles will be based at Knocknagree GAA Club, with the race rolling through Rathmore before assembling at Rathmore Community Centre for the ceremonial start. Covering 192.7 kilometres, the stage will take the peloton from Kerry into Cork over a demanding route that is expected to play a key role in shaping the overall race.Cairde Rs Tailteann would like to thank the local community in Rathmore and Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club for their support in hosting the stage start. The club has made great strides in recent years and their involvement is central to bringing the race to the town.A long and testing day awaits the riders, with six categorised climbs on the route to Banteer. After leaving Rathmore, the stage will move through the Kerry countryside before heading towards Kenmare, West Cork, the Caha Pass, Glengarriff and on towards the final approach into Banteer.Race Director Ger Campbell said: We are delighted that Rathmore will host the stage two start of the 2026 Rs Tailteann. This is a very important stage in the race, with a long distance and six categorised climbs ahead of the riders. Rathmore is a great place to send the race on its way, and we are looking forward to seeing the local community come out and support the start.Tim Murphy, stage start organiser, added: It is a great honour for Rathmore to host the stage two start of Rs Tailteann. The race has a very special place in Irish sport, and it will be fantastic to see the riders, teams and supporters gathering in the town before they head out towards Banteer. We would encourage people to come along, enjoy the atmosphere and give the riders a strong Rathmore send-off.With one of the toughest stages of the week beginning in Rathmore, the town is set to play an important role in the 2026 Rs Tailteann. Thursday, May 21st promises to be a memorable morning for the local community and cycling supporters across the region.

Once hauled the 'future of American cycling', Tejay Van Garderen and Taylor Phinney were the rays of hope the nation decimated by Lance Armstrong's scandal pinned their hopes and dreams to. Ultimately, both men seem to have not quite fulfilled their true potentials for various reasons, but that does...

Cannondale has been making the Moterra eMTB for quite a few years now. It has been updated and refined numerous times, and now, the latest version has arrived in the North American market. The redesigned Moterra comes in two travel options, standard and LT, both of which feature the Bosch Performance Line CX drive system. With the new Bosch Performance Upgrade 2.0, riders now have one of the most powerful motors on the market with up to 120Nm of torque.The new Moterra and Moterra LT slot into the lineup alongside the lightweight Moterra SL. With the all-rounder 150mm Moterra and the 165mm e-enduro Moterra LT, Cannondale has more options for riders to find the eMTB that best suits their riding style, terrain, and preferences. Lets check them out.Cannondale Moterra DetailsAs mentioned above, the new Moterra comes in two configurations. The standard Moterra is the do-it-all version with 150mm of rear travel. The Moterra LT is the e-enduro machine with 165mm of rear travel. Both versions share the latest Bosch Performance Line CX drive unit. With the optional Bosch Performance Upgrade 2.0, riders can now boost the performance values of the drive unit up to 600% support and up to 120Nm of torque.Most of the Moterra models come with the Bosch PowerTube 800 Wh battery for long-lasting range. The base model Moterra 4 Alloy comes with the 600Wh option. The batteries are removable and interchangeable, plus the system is compatible with the 250Wh Bosch PowerMore range extender.The Moterra models come with varying controls depending on the trim level. The top-of-the-line Moterra 1 comes with the Top Tube System Controller w/ the Kiox 500 display and wireless remote, while the Moterra 2 uses the Kiox 300 display. The Moterra LT gets the Top Tube System Controller with remote, but no fancy display. The more affordable alloy-framed Moterra 3 uses the Purion 200, while the 4 and 4+ feature the all-in-one Bosch LED Remote.MoterraThe new Cannondale Moterra.Cannondale calls the standard Moterra the all-mountain adventure machine, which is for the seekers, the adventurers, the go-fast and go-long riders who live to see whats over the next ridge, and the one after that. It is available with a full carbon frame or a SmartForm Alloy, both of which roll on 29 wheels front and rear.Like the recently launched Bad Habit enduro bike, the Moterra models use a 4-bar, or Horst Link suspension design. This controls the 150mm of rear wheel travel, which has been paired with a 160mm travel fork. Like many of Cannondales other full suspension bikes, the Moterra Carbon has what the brand refers to as Proportional Response design, which includes size-specific geometry and suspension kinematics.According to Cannondale, they were able to shave nearly 1,000 grams off carbon frames used for the Moterra 1 and 2 compared to the previous model. The Alloy-framed Moterra 3, 4, and 4+ dont get the size-specific chainstay treatment.The 150/160mm Moterra is billed as an all-mountain adventure machine.Moterra GeometryThe Moterra Carbon and Moterra Alloy have very similar, but not identical, geometries. One of the biggest discrepancies is that the Moterra Carbon has a 64.4-degree head tube angle, whereas the Alloy version is a touch steeper at 64.8 degrees. The other notable difference is that the Alloy frames have 455mm chainstays across all sizes, while the Carbon version increases to 460mm on the L and XL frames.Otherwise, the numbers appear to reflect the bikes trail/all-mountain intended use quite nicely, with relatively standard reach measurements and adequately steep effective seat tube angles. It comes in S, M, L, and XL. Check out the charts below for all the detailsGeometry for the carbon-frame Moterra models.Geometry chart for the alloy-framed Moterra modelsMoterra 1: $10,499Frame: CarbonBattery: 800WhFork: Fox Float Factory 38, Grip X2, 160mmShock: Fox Float X FactoryDrivetrain: Shimano XT Di2 M8260, 11-speed, hardwiredBrakes: Magura Gustav Elite 4-piston, w/203mm rotorsWheels: Reserve 30|HD AL w/ DT Swiss 370 hubsTires: Continental Kryptotal F/R, 29 x 2.4, Enduro SoftDropper: Cannondale DownLow (drop length varies by size)Colors: Matte Black, Tiger SharkThe top-of-the-line Moterra Carbon 1 in Matte Black.Moterra 2: $8,299Frame: CarbonBattery: 800WhFork: RockShox ZEB Select, 160mmShock: RockShox Deluxe Select+Drivetrain: Shimano Deore Di2 M6260, 11-speed, hardwiredBrakes: Magura Louise Elite 4-piston, w/203mm rotorsWheels: WTB ST i30 Tough TCS w/ Shimano TC500 hubsTires: Continental Kryptotal F/R, 29 x 2.4, Enduro SoftDropper: Cannondale DownLow (drop length varies by size)Colors: Matte Black, Moon RockMoterra 3: $5,899Frame: SmartForm C1 AlloyBattery: 800WhFork: RockShox Psylo Silver RC, 160mmShock: RockShox Deluxe SelectDrivetrain: Shimano CUES U6000, 11-speedBrakes: Shimano MT520 4-piston, w/203mm rotorsWheels: WTB ST i30 TCS w/ Shimano TC500 hubsTires: Continental Kryptotal F/R, 29 x 2.4, Enduro SoftDropper: Cannondale DownLow (drop length varies by size)Colors: Chalk, ObsidianThe Moterra 3 in Obsidian.Moterra 4+: $4,799Frame: SmartForm C1 AlloyBattery: 800WhFork: SR Suntour Zeron 36-X Boost, 160mmShock: RockShox Deluxe SelectDrivetrain: Shimano CUES U6000 LinkGlide, 11-speedBrakes: Tektro Gemini SL 4-piston, w/203mm rotorsWheels: WTB ST i30 TCS w/ Shimano TC500 hubsTires: Schwalbe Magic Mary Performance, 29 x 2.4Dropper: Cannondale DownLow (drop length varies by size)Colors: Tiger Eye, ObsidianMoterra 4: $4,499Frame: SmartForm C1 AlloyBattery: 600WhFork: SR Suntour Zeron 36-X Boost, 160mmShock: RockShox Deluxe SelectDrivetrain: Shimano CUES U6000, 11-speedBrakes: Tektro Gemini SL 4-piston, w/203mm rotorsWheels: WTB ST i30 TCS w/ Shimano TC500 hubsTires: Schwalbe Magic Mary Performance, 29 x 2.4Dropper: Cannondale DownLow (drop length varies by size)Colors: Tiger Eye, ObsidianMoterra LTLT stands for long-travel, and the Moterra LT bumps up to 165mm in the rear and a 170mm fork. With this e-enduro bike, Cannondale went with a mixed wheel/mullet configuration to give riders a little more butt clearance and maneuverability in the aggressive terrain this bike was designed for. It comes in carbon-only and features Cannondales Proportional Response design with size-specific geometry and kinematics. Speaking of, the LT reportedly has a more progressive leverage ratio to go along with the coil shock that comes stock on the complete build.Geometry-wise, its quite similar to the standard Moterra with a 64.4-degree head tube angle and 77.5-degree seat tube. With the smaller rear wheel, the chainstays are a bit shorter at 445mm on the S and M, growing to 450mm on the L and XL. Check out the chart below for more.Moterra LT 1: $8,499Frame: CarbonBattery: 800WhFork: Fox Float Performance 38, Grip, 160mmShock: Fox DHX Performance CoilDrivetrain: SRAM Eagle 90 T-Type, 12-speedBrakes: TRP EVO Pro 4-piston, w/ 220/203mm rotorsWheels: DT Swiss H 1900 Spline w/ DT 370 hubsTires: Front: Schwalbe Shredda Radial 29 x 2.5, Rear: Schwalbe Albert Radial 27.5 x 2.5Dropper: Cannondale DownLow (drop length varies by size)Colors: Black, Tiger SharkTiger SharkBlackMoterra and Moterra LT: AvailabilityThe new Moterra and Moterra LT are available now. Head to the brands website or your local Cannondale dealer to learn more.cannondale.comThe post Cannondales Latest Moterra and Moterra LT eMTBs Now Available in North America appeared first on Bikerumor.

The Giro resumes in Italy with short stage with a big climb.Magnier-fico: if you could replay a summit finish over and over with the riders who arrive at the foot of the a mountain often the result would be the same. In a sprint its very different. With Stage 3 take the riders who were together with 3km to go on the road into Sofia and replay it and the outcome could vary. But the sense is that Paul Magnier would win a lot and Jonathan Milan would too. The problem for Dylan Groenewegen is that he could too only future stages now get harder for him until the Milan criterium on Stage 15.The Route: 144km and an early unmarked climb after the start but its a five minute effort and was tackled a decade ago when the Giro also rolled out of Catenzaro. Then its along the coast.Today is all about the climb midway. The race manual says its easy and 17km at 5% sounds steady but zoom in because theres 14km at 6% and the first 8km are close to 7% which is Alpine enough to drop plenty, all on a twisting side road too.Once past the mountains banner theres a false flat to the real pass and then a long descent and 40km to the finish with the final 20km on the flat.The Finish: ah, Cosenza! Its cathedral perched on the hill, the charming cobbled streets, even labelled the Athens of Italy [record scratch sound].A run past the railway yards, a set of roundabouts where a wrong turn leads to a McDonalds Drive and then a few zigzags in town. Itll pay to have a good lead out through the streets but theyre wide and the final 450m rise at 3%.The Contenders: Maglia rosa Thomas Silva (XDS-Astana) is now a name to contend with, hes got a good finish and every reason to sprint for the win today with team mates Scaroni and Ulissi on hand to help. Hes shown he can win from a group when others have been dropped on a climb. Florian Stork (Tudor) was close on Saturday and could be too and his team will work twice as hard to set him up.Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quickstep) is the default pick today. Not that he is a certain pick, its more that in a range of outcomes he might be one who ends up winning.The Passo Crocetta ought to be used by teams with a fast finisher as an elimination race, they can set a pace to distance bulky sprinters. So Soudal-Quickstep can ride fast enough to leave Dylan Groenewegen floundering, then Movistar can set a pace too fast for Paul Magnier to the advantage of Orluis Aular and so on. Easier said than done as they have to be left behind early and then the teams that achieve this have to be able to sustain it on the 20km to the finish to keep any chasers away. So in reality Magnier might be dropped but he could come back; or maybe teams dont like this tactic and Magnier hangs on. Again hes far from a certain pick, but quick and more agile so he might be able to go for the win when Milan and Gronewegen have been dropped. Kaden Groves (Alpecin-PremierTech) has won this way before but hes uncertain with injuries on Stage 2. Tobias Lund (Decathlon-CMA CGM) can do well but well see with the climbing.Francesco Busatto (Alpcein-PremierTech) is another rider who is quick for a stage like today from a small group. Orluis Aular (Movistar) and Corbin Strong (NSN) are fast too, we saw NSN working for Strong on Stage 2With plenty of riders having lost time already the early breakaway also has a good chance, more than we might have imagined pre-Bulgaria. Itll have to work hard to build a lead before the climb, this might require sending two riders per team with one to pull and the other to win the stage. Antnio Morgado (UAE) could give his team something to cheer but pick from plenty who face a stage that is neither sprint nor summit finish.Magnier, SilvaStork, Bussato, Aular, Strong, Lund, Turner, MorgadoWeather: sunny, 25C and an onshore breeze for the passage along the coast. Forecasts say up to 20km/h so not enough to split the peloton normally but teams can try.TV: the finish is forecast for 5.15pm CEST. Tune in from 3.40pm for the Passo Crocetta.Postcard from CosenzaTodays stage is 100% in Calabria and the finish is in Cosenza, the regions fifth biggest city. Its the sort of place that should host the Giro regularly but hasnt finished here since 1989. Swiss rider Rolf Jrmann went solo near the finish to win the stage. Jrmann would go on to win a Tour stage and the Amstel Gold race twice in the 1990s.Embed from Getty ImagesAs he told Blick magazine his career overlapped with the EPO doping era. Pressured by his team Ariostea to take EPO, he bought it to appease management but threw it away as he hoped to prove he could win without, only for the team doctor to angrily spot his blood values had not changed.In time hed use EPO to win. After the Festina affair he decided to stop, only to find when he was planned to attack on a short climb near the finish of a stage of the Tour de Suisse in 1999, just the kind of move that suited him, 60 riders came past him uphill. He had changed ways but the peloton had not.Jrmann had a hobby outside of cycling: computing. Its a claim thats difficult to verify but he may have been the first professional athlete to start a blog. He would post brief diary entries and remarks. One day he estimated how much spaghetti he ate in a year, and calculated that laid lengthwise it would cover 5km. That sort of thing.The hobby became business as he went into internet hosting and web design. During this time he also got into campervans and the two interests combined into a blog about van life which occupies him now, its called womoblog, as in Wohnmobil or camping car in German. Maybe hell be beside the road somewhere this month?The post Giro dItalia Stage 4 Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.