Enric Mas has been Movistar Teams reference rider in Grand Tours for more than half a decade and, since Alejandro Valverdes retirement in 2022, also the teams leading figure. Yet he has not won a race since that year (Giro dellEmilia) and has only stood on the podium once in the six Grand Tours...

In the pouring Inverness rain, ultra-endurance star Caroline Livesey completed the 516-mile route in 32 hours and 22 minutes, eclipsing Christina Mackenzies 2022 record by four hours and 17 minutes

Paul Seixas will arrive atthe Tour Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes on Sunday with the bar set high as he declared exactly what his goal for the race is: to win it. The 19-year-old's lofty ambitions come as he's set to make his debut at July's Tour de France. Emerging in the 2025 season as France's great gener...

UK brand Temple Cycles has unveiled its new Electric II ebike, which uses a punchy and responsive rear-hub motor, has a claimed range of up to 95km and weighs less than 20kg. The Electric II is available in Classic and Step Through models, with the latter weighing in at 19.27kg in an unspecified size. Temple says the bikes are made from aircraft grade 6061 alloy, and use a 45Nm Bafang rear-hub motor with five assistance levels and a removable 360Wh Samsung battery. Unusually, this sees the Electric II get less torque and power than the original Temple Electric, but Temple says this better reflects how it will be used and helps keep the cost down to 1,899. We listened closely to how people were actually using their electric bikes, from daily commuting and shopping, to leisurely countryside rides and replacing short car journeys altogether, says Matt Mears, founder of Bristol-based Temple. The Temple Electric II is the result of that listening and refinement process. Its a more comfortable, more capable, and more accessible Temple Electric than ever before. Read more: Best electric bikes: 24 top-rated ebikes for every type of rider Simple, reliablecheaper The new Electric II comes in Classic and Step Through versions. While the original Temple Electric had a claimed range of 60-120km from its mid-drive 80Nm motor, Temple says the Electric II is capable of 50-95km, although in both cases it depends on the assistance level being used. The original Electric also had a 500Wh battery, as opposed to the new bikes 360Wh. Temple said it made those spec decisions after listening to its customers and finding they were using the Electric for commuting and everyday journeys rather than longer-distance touring. The brand says itmoved to a rear-hub motor to fit better with its focus on longevity, saying such systems are simple, reliable and easy to maintain, helping owners keep their bikes on the road for many years to come. The changes have enabled Temple to offer both versions of the Electric II for 1,899, while the original bike launched at 2,499 although its currently on offer direct from Temple at 1,999. Mudguards and a rear rack are included, boosting the new bike's commuting credentials. Temple Cycles The Electric II has a 9-speed Shimano CUES groupset, with an 11-41t cassette and Bafang crankset. Temple says the Electric II has an ultra-comfortable ride feel thanks to its swept-back bar that enables an upright riding position designed to suit the urban cyclists and commuters the bike is aimed at. However, it says the Electric II can cope with excursions outside the city thanks to the 700x44c WTB Byway tanwall tyres. The package also includes integrated metal mudguards and a rear rack that Temple says can carry loads of up to 25kg. The finishing kit includes Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, Temples own Comfort saddle, a polished alloy kickstand and leather grips. Bikes are produced in China, with final assembly and quality control carried out in Bristol. The new Electric II is priced at 1,899 and available to UK customers only from mid-June, although buyers can register their interest via the Temple website now. Temple is offering a 50 discount for signing up to its newsletter. The Electric II is the second new bike Temple has introduced in 2026, following the release of the Classic Disc commuter bike in April. The brand has also opened the doors on a new retail store and workshop in Bristol.

Best road bikes under 2000 2026 our pick of the best road bikes balancing performance and value

Once part of Tadej Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates - XRG, 27-year-oldJoel Suter has now stepped away from road cycling. The Swiss rider has now left Tudor Pro Cycling Team effective immediately, and will be replaced by a former speed skater rapidly rising through the ranks. Lennart Jasch has been promo...

Further to Tuesdays post I have now done a proper ride on the repaired GT XCR 1000 from Classic Cycle:By proper ride I mean I rode to and from the trail instead of just throwing the bike on the car:And no, I dont mean a ride that you drive to isnt proper. I just mean this gave me ample time not only to confirm the rear shock is working properly and all that stuff, but it also allowed me to experience the bike not just on mountain bike trails but also on pavement and all that other stuff.This bike follows the AMP Research B3, which I finally returned to Classic Cycle over the winter:Along with the Plimpton Bike, which is not relevant here (or, arguably, anywhere):I really enjoyed the AMP. It is a very light bicycle, and it feels very fast, even on the stretches of pavement Id ride to and from the trail. Theres front and rear suspension, but not a lot of it, making it an easy transition for a rigid (both in the literal sense and the sense of being uptight) rider like me. I also like the way it looks, and the thumb shifters appeal to the retrogrouch in me:The GT is only five years younger than the AMP, but the suspension is considerably more plush. Mostly thats a good thing, and it still manages to feel reasonably fast on pavement, despite being both heavier and more squishy, maybe because of the i-Drive or something, what do I know? But more and better suspension is not entirely a good thing, because by 1999 bike companies had figured out how to make very good suspension components, but they hadnt updated the geometry to go with itthey were just making the same bikes they always had, only with better suspension. So I could see getting into trouble on the GT, particularly when descending, since even though the suspension really eats everything up and youre tempted to go a lot faster than you otherwise would, you probably shouldnt because its still liable to put you over the bars if youre not careful.Thats certainly not to say its scary to ride or anything like that. I mean Im used to it. This was what I rode for years:[Thats a photo of a photo in my book.]Also, fortunately the large frame size coupled with the riser stem and bars Paul was thoughtful enough to equip the GT with all mitigate this effect considerably. Still, you do need to keep in mind when riding it that even though youre floating over roots and rocks youre still on a bike with a steep front end, small wheels, and narrow tires.As for the bikes appearance, itsyou know, a fin de sicle mountain bike, and I dont think anyone would argue that those are in any way elegant. Im tempted to say I would have thought the bike was really cool-looking back in 1999 when it was new, but the truth is I wouldnt have, and didnt, because in fact I found mountain bikes quite aesthetically objectionable at the time. But now that its basically a museum piece I can appreciate it more, and in a way its kind of the bicycle equivalent of Mtley Cre. When I was in high school they represented everything I was against, but when I hear them now I think, You know, thats not a bad riff All of which is to say so far Im having lots of guilty pleasure-type fun on the Mtley Cre bike so far.And speaking of cool, obviously you cant beat those Suntour thumbies in that department, but 8-speed XT shifters are pretty damn good:Im old enough that these still seem thoroughly modern to me, but now that were well into the electronic era theyre much closer to those thumbies than to what people are using today.Speaking of being old, as an erstwhile BMX kid the name GT has great significance for me, and while I never owned a Performer:[From here]Or a Mach One:[From here]I still remember them intimately from poring over magazines, and I did have various GT components, including the tires, which had the letters GT in the tread, and which I color-coordinated with my GT brakes.I did eventually get a GT, though I was (technically) an adult by then, and the bike was a GTB:[Photo from here]These bikes are now highly coveted by the fixerati, but at the time they were wholly unremarkable apart from being pretty much the only complete off-the-shelf track bike you could buy, and I bought it because I was a bike racer and at the time there was still this idea you should train on a fixed-gear bicycle during the winter to improve your spin or something. (Now youre just supposed to plug your bike into a computer and ride inside unless the weather is absolutely perfect.) I do wish I kept it, not because it was particularly enjoyable to ride (even as a young racer I found it extremely harsh), but only because its one of the very few bicycles which has appreciated in value over the years, which is ironic because, as I say, theres absolutely nothing remarkable about them except the triple triangle.So yeah, I dont miss itthough even I am not immune to the allure of the triple triangle:[Via Classic Cycle]Now thats a cool bike.Alas, now GT is just another defunct brand owned by PON Holdings, though their website is still there, and you can browse their generic bikes with their sad vestigial triple triangles:Oh well, they had a good run.

The administrators appointed following the collapse of Saddleback have issued an update to customers. The UK distributor of Pivot, Castelli, Sportful and other brands entered administration on Friday 29 May, with 42 people losing their jobs. Our original story runs below this update. The Saddleback website has now been updated with a statement, confirming that "the business [has] ceased trading with immediate effect". The statement also advises on how to express interest in Saddleback's assets, and how creditors can make a claim to the administrators. Customers who have paid a deposit on goods, or not received goods paid for in full, are advised to contact their credit or debit card provider as soon as possible. Full statement We regret to advise you that Saddleback Limited entered Administration on 29 May 2026 and the business ceased trading with immediate effect. Jonathan Dunn and Matthew Whitchurch, licenced insolvency practitioners at FRP Advisory Trading Limited were appointed Joint Administrators of the Company on 29 May 2026. Should you have interest in any of the Companys assets, or believe that you are a creditor of the Company, then please contact the Administrators atsaddlebackadministrators@frpadvisory.com Customers who have made prepayments or have paid for goods and services with a credit or debit card If you have made a deposit for or paid for goods or services by credit or debit card and the goods or services are not going to be received by the due date, you may be able to get your money back by claiming a refund from your card issuer. Please contact your card issuer as soon as you can if this may apply to you. There maybe time limits that apply. Further information can be found hereDebit & credit card chargeback: protection on faulty goods - MoneySavingExpert.com The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the appointed Joint Administrators Jonathan Dunn and Matthew Whitchurch and the Joint Administrators act as agents of the Company and without personal liability. Original story (1 June 2026): Saddleback, the UK distributor of prestige cycling brands, has gone into administration, only months after losing Cannondale from its books. The company, based in Yate, near Bristol, was founded in 2004 but has now closed its doors, with Jonathan Dunn and Matt Whitchurch appointed as administrators. "Unfortunately, the business has faced increasingly difficult market conditions in recent years," said Dunn. According to The Times, 42 staff have been made redundant at the firm, the UK home of Pivot, Castelli, Sportful, Silca, Abbey Bike Tools, Feedback Sports and others. A source at Saddleback told BikeRadar that staff were informed of the news on Friday after efforts to refinance the company failed. Dunn added: "Our immediate priority is supporting those employees who have been made redundant and helping them access financial support." What happened? Cannondale left Saddleback in March and reverted to direct-to-dealer distribution in the UK. Our Media Key brands in Saddleback's portfolio had been deserting the company in recent months, with ENVE a longstanding partner pulling out in February and switching to UK and Ireland distribution via its own European distributor Mohawks. ENVE also announced it would open a UK office and showroom in Warwick. Cannondale parted with Saddleback in March, after a shorter stint that lasted from January 2025. Saddleback had described the arrival of Cannondale as transformative in its accounts, with TheBusinessDesk.com reporting the brand's signature had resulted in a 10m increase in turnover "to around 24m in the year to January 2026". Cannondale has now returned to direct-to-dealer sales in the UK via bike industry behemoth Pon, joining the likes of Santa Cruz and Cervlo. Saddleback had staffed up to handle the Cannondale business but its loss, along with that of ENVE, apparently left the company with costs it couldnt sustain on its remaining portfolio. Cannondales move mirrored that of Italian brand 3T, which was also previously distributed in the UK by Saddleback, but moved to direct-to-dealer UK distribution in 2020. What now for Saddleback's staff and brands? Troy Lee Designs has announced its intention to switch to Silverfish for UK distribution. Mick Kirkman Troy Lee Designs has already announced its decision to switch to Silverfish for its UK distribution. While an administrator was only confirmed on Monday (June 1), Saddleback's demise had been confirmed by several employees on LinkedIn, with one stating: "Im now looking for alternate employment following the company going into administration yesterday afternoon." Links to Saddlebacks site currently display an 'opening soon' banner page. According to Dunn, the company's directors had attempted to sell the business before eventually taking the decision to call in the administrators. Saddleback's residual portfolio of high-end brands could still be attractive to another distributor, although a buyer would need to move fast to avoid further desertions.

The Giro d'Italia Women has been rocked by a further two disqualifications after riders were found to have been holding onto either their own or another team's car during the race. Greek rider Argyro Milaki of Aromitalia Vaiano and Italian youngster Anita Baima of Isolmant Premac Vittoria were both...