UPDATED July 29, 2026 BY Olha Kurochkina IN Plum Ride no comments Thessaloniki: The Plum Ride Finish Line, But Not Quite the EndFun fact about me: in all three tours Ive joined since starting at TDA, Ive always been there at the beginning. I arrive with things from the office, meet the crew and riders, and share those first exciting days when the whole adventure is still ahead. But Ive never experienced the other end of it.What does it feel like to reach the finish after weeks on the road together? To share that enormous sense of accomplishment and camaraderie mixed with the bittersweet realization that you did it, but will soon have to say goodbye to the people who became your little travelling world? Finishing a full tour with the riders and crew is one of my biggest dreams. And if I ever get to choose where it happens, I would love to cross that finish line in Thessaloniki on next years Plum Ride Cycling Tour.The White TowerStay A Little LongerBut then comes another question: what do you actually do when the tour is over? Do you pack your bike, grab your bags and head straight to the airport? Or do you give yourself more than one day to recover, celebrate and enjoy one of Greeces most underrated cities? I know what I would choose. I might even unpack the bike although, after almost 3,500 kilometres, we would have to see how convincing I find that idea in real life. Thessaloniki isnt a cycling capital, and its bike infrastructure is limited, so this isnt the place to casually explore every neighbourhood on two wheels. The flat waterfront, however, is the exception: a roughly five-kilometre stretch connecting the port, White Tower and Concert Hall, passing the famous Umbrellas by the famous sculptor Giorgios Zoggolopoulos along the way. It sounds like the perfect easy ride for legs that have already done quite enough.Pedalling past the UmbrellasMore adventurous riders could look beyond the city towards the forested hills of Seyh Su or Mount Chortiatis but those are proper mountain-biking outings that would require some local route research, not spontaneous post-tour wandering.Bike or no bike, I would stay for the food alone. This is Greece, after all. I would give myself a couple of gloriously unproductive days dedicated to tavernas, pastries, seafood and discovering exactly how many different things can be improved with feta and olive oil. I would simply wander around the Ladadika district and slip into a couple of tavernas without even checking Google reviews, just choosing whatever catches my eye.Then I would switch on my history nerd mode. Thessaloniki offers several directions to take it! I could explore ancient Macedonia at the Archaeological Museum, dive into the citys Byzantine past at the Museum of Byzantine Culture, or visit the Jewish Museum to understand Thessalonikis once-thriving Jewish community and what happened to it during the Holocaust. Different chapters of the same remarkably layered city and knowing me, choosing just one might be the real challenge.And if a couple of days somehow became a few more, Thessaloniki would also make a great base for exploring the region: ancient Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, or Litochoro and Mount Olympus. Climbing Olympus is not exactly a casual day trip it deserves proper planning and, depending on the route, more than one day but after cycling across Europe, perhaps one more mountain wouldnt sound completely unreasonable.Perhaps that is what I would want from Thessaloniki: not another achievement to add immediately after cycling through nine countries, but a little time to understand that the adventure is actually over. To sit by the sea, eat something ridiculously good, replay the past 45 days and slowly get used to the strange idea that tomorrow you wont be getting back on the bike with the same people.I still dont know what finishing a tour feels like. But I imagine it is a confusing mixture of exhaustion, pride, relief and not being quite ready to let go. And Thessaloniki with its waterfront, layers of history and very persuasive amounts of feta seems like a pretty good place to stay with that feeling for a little longer.Hopefully, one day Ill find out for myself.RELATEDTOURPlum Ride Plum brandy has a long and illustrious history in Central and Eastern Europe, beginning as far back as the 14th century. Distilled from local plums... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Thessaloniki: The Plum Ride Finish Line, But Not Quite the End" Cancel reply

The mens WorldTour team Decathlon CMA CGM has announced it will launch a professional womens team from the start of the 2027 season. The squad will consist of 12 riders, who are still to be revealed, and will begin at the ProTeam level, in the second tier of professional cycling. The launch comes as part of Decathlon CMA CGMs 2024-2030 strategic plan, which aims to build the team into a global powerhouse over the course of its title sponsorship. The launch of our womens team marks a decisive step in the development of our overall sporting project, said team manager Dominique Serieys in a press release shared on Wednesday morning. It fully aligns with our ambition to build a leading name in cycling, shaped by the diversity of talent and driven by collective ambition. In its first year, the womens team will be managed within Decathlon CMA CGMs NewGen programme, which also counts its mens junior and Continental squads. Like the men's squad, the team will be backed by sports retailer Decathlon and logistics company CMA CGM, and will receive equipment, including bikes, from Decathlon's Van Rysel brand.Decathlon CEO Javier Lpez described the teams launch as a crucial milestone in the companys strategy. Drawing on the expertise of our Performance Centre in Savoie, the NewGen dynamic, and the technical know-how of our Van Rysel brand, we aim to provide these young riders with an exceptional environment in which to grow and succeed, Lpez said. We are committed to offering this team the best possible conditions for success. With humility and determination, we are exceptionally proud to support women at the highest level.Founded in 1992, and previously known as AG2R La Mondiale, the mens team began its title partnership with Decathlon in 2024, and has since seen its budget grow, from 30m to 40m in 2026, in a bid to become a super-team. The mens teams star rider is 19-year-old Paul Seixas, who finished fourth at the Tour de France this month. Sprinter Olav Kooij also won a stage of the race. Guillaume Bonnafond, who manages the Decathlon CMA CGMs NewGen pathway, was clear in his ambitions for the new womens team: The objective is to build a sustainable team capable of joining the WorldTour circuit in the coming years, he said in the press release. There are still four mens WorldTour teams who do not have any public plans for a professional womens team, or links to an existing squad: Bahrain Victorious, Netcompany-Ineos, NSN Cycling and Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe.

A low-maintenance urban commuter that's enjoyable, practical and exceptionally easy to live with.

Compact, lightweight and quick to pitch: thats the brief for any good bikepacking tent. The VAUDE Space 2P, at 760, does not tick the bike-specific pole sections box, but compensates with a generous amount of interior space. Whether that added comfort is worth the extra effort in transport and setup at camp is the real question.We tested six of the most exciting bikepacking tents head-to-head, heading to Frances Massif Central to put them through their paces click here for our buyers guide and a complete overview of all the bikepacking tents in our group review.As dusk settles over Frances Massif Central and your legs grow heavy from endless climbs and descents on gravel tracks, priorities start to shift. After hours in the saddle, one thing matters above all else: a comfortable place to retreat for the night. And thats exactly where the VAUDE Space 2P aims to shine. Rather than entering the test as a radically stripped-back bikepacking tent, it takes on the role of a classic trekking tent.Its biggest selling point is the generous amount of inner space. While tents from MSR and Big Agnes optimise every centimetre and every gram, VAUDE follows a noticeably more comfort-focused approach. The question is: is that extra comfort worth the added complexity when it comes to transport and handling?VAUDE Space 2P | 1,95 kg | 760 | Manufacturers Website VAUDE Space 2P 760 Technical Data Weight (complete) 1.95 kg (1.89 kg without stuff sack)Packed Size approx. 42 x 14 x 14 cm (L x W x H)Pole Length (packed) 36 cmInner Dimensions 215 x 130 x 110 cm (L x W x H)Season Rating 3-season VAUDE Space 2P. Construction Dome tent with ridge pole and tunnel-style elementsDoors & Vestibules 2 doors / 2 vestibulesHydrostatic Head (Floor / Flysheet) 3,000 mm (manufacturer specification)Footprint Included NoHandlebar Mounting None (classic trekking tent system) The VAUDE Space 2P Review From Saddle to ShelterMaterials & SetupThe materials feel robust and well finished throughout. The neon-green guy lines stand out clearly at night, though they feel noticeably more delicate than the rest of the tent. Inner and outer tent pitch together here, as with the Hilleberg Unna: a setup that protects the inner tent from rain but adds needless complication to the process.The three-part pole structure relies on asymmetrical pole ends that have to be threaded through narrow fabric sleeves. In practice, the poles regularly snag on the material and get stuck. What sounds straightforward on paper can quickly turn into a test of patience, especially in wind or poor weather. Our test tent also arrived with several dried residues of adhesive and sealing material visible along the inner seams.The materials of the Space 2P feel largely premium and well thought out.However, the guy lines are very delicate as well as the zippers.Transport & MountingAfter a rainy night, one weakness of the combined-pitch design becomes apparent. Because the inner and outer tent remain permanently connected, the wet flysheet inevitably ends up packed together with the dry inner tent. The result: by the following evening, the entire system already feels damp. The Hilleberg Unna handles this more elegantly, as the inner and outer tent can be separated when needed.The stuff sack demands an unusual level of discipline from you. Rather than simply stuffing the tent inside, you have to fold it precisely and roll it tightly to get it back into the bag. You wont find the effortless packing experience of an MSR Hubba Hubba, with its large roll-top opening, here on the VAUDE.The Space 2P also requires a few compromises on the bike. Dedicated bikepacking mounting solutions are absent, meaning additional straps or a separate handlebar harness are needed. With a packed pole length of 36 cm, the tent will theoretically fit between narrow gravel handlebars, but it noticeably restricts access to the drops. The system weight of almost two kilograms is also hard to ignore up front. Compared directly with lighter models such as the Big Agnes Copper Spur, the bike feels considerably less agile and requires more control on technical sections.Compact, but just a little too large for narrow gravel bike handlebars.Living Space & StorageOnce pitched, the Space 2P rewards your effort with the most spacious interior in the entire test field. With an internal width of 130 cm and a measured maximum height of up to 110 cm, it creates an airy sense of space that few other tents can match. Even two wide sleeping mats fit comfortably side by side.The two large entrances, which run almost the full length of the tent, make getting in and out easier and open the tent up nicely to the surrounding landscape. Four corner pockets and four overhead storage compartments help keep the interior organised. Given the tents generous dimensions, though, we would have liked larger storage options for bulkier gear such as helmets. The two vestibules also provide plenty of storage space, though they lack an integrated vestibule floor, a feature that comes as standard on the SIMOND MT900.The sense of space is excellent. This is a genuinely comfortable tent to spend the night in.The entrances on both sides are huge and make it extremely easy to get in and out.Inside, four corner pockets and four overhead storage compartments help keep smaller items organised and within easy reach.Weather Protection & VentilationWithout its guy lines properly tensioned, the Space 2P feels less stable than storm-proven tents such as the Hilleberg Unna or Nemo Dragonfly. For a secure pitch, it relies on all twelve pegs and careful guying out.VAUDE skip dedicated roof vents altogether. Ventilation is handled exclusively through the large outer doors. Combined with the relatively limited use of mesh panels, this helps the tent retain warmth on cooler nights. In damp conditions, however, and particularly with the doors closed, condensation build-up becomes noticeably more pronounced.Roof ventilation has been omitted.Its questionable whether the tent pegs will hold in a storm.In exchange, the Space 2P offers rain-protected ventilation.Who Should Take a Closer Look at the VAUDE Space 2P Tent?The VAUDE Space 2P is primarily aimed at comfort-focused bikepackers who value freedom of movement and living comfort after a long day in the saddle. If you usually travel as a pair, prioritise interior space over weight, and already ride with a large rear bag or a flat-bar luggage setup, youll find a spacious home away from home here something that becomes increasingly valuable the longer your trip lasts.ConclusionPlenty of space, plenty of comfort: the VAUDE Space 2P takes a different approach from most tents in this test field. Its generous interior makes it a comfortable companion on long tours and a welcome retreat after a day in the saddle, but higher weight, cumbersome setup and a less refined packing system cost it points for pure bikepacking use. This is a tent for comfort seekers, not minimalists.TopsLargest interior in the test fieldTwo large entrances spanning almost the entire length of the tentCombined inner and outer tent pitch keeps the interior dry in the rainHigh-quality, robust materialsFlopsFiddly setup due to narrow pole sleevesWet flysheet has to be packed together with the inner tentNo roof vents, making it more prone to condensation build-upFor more information, visit vaude.com.The Test FieldThis tent was tested as part of our 2026 Bikepacking Tent Group Review.All Tents in the Review: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack | Decathlon / SIMOND MT900 | Hilleberg Unna | MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2P | Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 2P | VAUDE Space 2PDer Beitrag VAUDE Space 2P on Review Living Comfort Over Weight Savings erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

Tadej Pogaar attacked on the Tourmalet with 5km to go before summit and 43km left in Stage 6. In the picture above Jonas Vingegaard is out of the picture but only just, some 30 seconds behind at the top of the pass. But on the descent and then the valley road up to Gavarnie he multiplies this advantage by five to take back the yellow jersey and leave his rivals in no doubt they cant dent him or his team.The race started in Barcelona with a 19km team time trial, which with foresight was a selection trap for several teams who picked riders for the opening day but with less thought for what was to come. The Paris-Nice rules format probably needs a new label but saw Visma-LAB win with Jonas Vingegaard coming home first to take yellow, as good as their and his Tour would get.Sundays stage told us plenty with Tadej Pogaar helping set up Isaac del Toro for the win and seeming more delighted with this than if hed just won himself. Hed win the next day, for all the talk of riders not wanting the weight of the yellow jersey, Pogaar seemed privately determined to defrock Jonas Vingegaard, theres a hint of spice to their rivalry that goes unsaid.After a stage to Foix that saw Mads Pedersen score beaucoup points and put Torstein Tren in yellow we got a classic day in the Pyrenees. UAE set the pace all day and did another team time trial up the Tourmalet with a tailwind to launch Pogaar who set a record time on the climb, with chasers like Vinegaard at 30 seconds over the top and then Paul Seixas leading the others at 1m22s, still beating the old record too. Half a minutes gain in 15 minutes of climbing was strong but it was the remaining 44 minutes of the stage that saw Pogaar extend his lead by over two minutes to finish 2m38 clear of Vingegaard and nearly three minutes on the next eight with the rest of the field scattered to the winds. If Pogaar won here, the selection made among the others was as crucial for the following three weeks.The Tour had to use the Pyrenees given the start in Barcelona but what if the stage had been softened? Then Pogaar would have used the stage to Le Lioran instead, maybe the suspense lasted longer and gap would have been smaller but the psychological blow to rivals would have been as big. If Le Lioran was the next GC appointment when Pogaar attacked nobody even bothered to get out of the saddle and respond. When Pogaar attacked on the Col du Haag the others just chased and like the Tourmalet it was after the climb that Pogaar gained most time.Fast forward the GC race to Paris and here are the GC standings of the top-7 overall plus the broken lines of Vingegaard and Lipowitz, loyal readers should know how the chart works by now and its pleasing to see many other outlets using the same format. Stage 6 sees everyone fall away from Pogaar after his Tourmalet coup. Stage 10 sees the black line of Del Toro dip after he was distanced on the road to Le Lioran, likewise Lenny Martinez lost time and was 9th overall but if not seen as a GC contender, still among the few whod reached Gavarnie just behind Vingegaard.A good Tour ought to see lines rising and falling but here the story is how they all fall away in unison, the order of the weekend in Barcelona is sustained for a long time. Evenepoels storming time trial performance barely registers on the y-axis. Those calling for more time trial kilometres should be satisfied next year you read it here first but you could double the distance on the day, and have three of these TT stages and it might take Evenepoel closer to Pogaar. But only so much and then the Slovenian could respond in the mountains rather than play chaperone to Del Toro.Vingegaards Tour can be seen ending on Stage 15 after his crash on a roundabout. The teams tactics were one contributing factor to their downfall, racing hard on the roads to the foot of the final climb which just suited Pogaar and let his UAE colleagues sit back. Mineralogists use Mohs scale, an index to compare and sort rocks found in the field. Quartz will always scratch gypsum and never the reverse, a diamond will scratch quartz, and so on. In the Tour Pogaar seemed unbeatable and the tactic of trying to wear him down seemed to be like using up a lot of softer rocks hoping to eventually wear down a diamond. Perhaps pushing in the hope of finding a fault was the only tactic left, Visma dont have a co-leader; but Red Bull did and couldnt deploy this tactic either. The chart shows Florian Lipowitzs exit, the stage after hed lost time at the Plateau de Solaison and where two leaders had proved a difficult strategy to execute.Vingegaards exit probably changed the race. We saw this on the stage to Le Lioran where he did not try to match Pogaars winning move but did shape what happened behind, leading the chase. Hed have likely done more in the Alps including the day he left where his pacing probably wouldnt have allowed Pogaar do go at Del Toros rate and this could have affected the GC, some stage results, and possibly the mountains competition if Visma kept trying to wear down UAE.The biggest GC move on the chart is Lenny Martinez who got in the breakaway on Stage 19 and if he cratered his chances of winning the stage by playing (too much) poker he got up on GC and held on the following day to finish 5th overall. This year he was supposed to go for GC in one week races and hone these skills, all while having free reign for stage-hunting and the mountains competition but because he never sat up to lose time and so stayed in the GC race, and benefitted from Ayuso and Skjelmose falling away. One thing he didnt benefit from much was his team, often invisible.Other competitions were more lively. The points competition came alive later in the race. Tim Merlier avoided intermediate sprints to save himself for the stage finishes and with three wins this paid off. Jasper Philipsens quest for a stage win looked difficult on the outside and apparently unbearable on the inside with talk of long silences at the dinner table but he delivered a win in Voiron and was within a handful of points of taking the green jersey with plenty on offer in Paris. Only for Mads Pedersen to go on the rampage and win the competition in the Alps.The mountains competition was competitive throughout the race. It gave Caja Rural something on home soil on the opening weekend (and more than several other teams would get out of July) and while Tadej Pogaar took the polka-dots thanks to crossing the Tourmalet, Richard Carapaz and Valentin Paret-Peintre set about scoring points and duelling for the jersey and Carapaz came out on top thanks to a relentless three days in the Alps.The white jersey and podium went down to the last mountain pass too with Decathlon-CMA CGM trying an all or nothing gamble to dislodge Isaac del Toro. The fact that Paul Seixas was fourth overall and within touching distance of the podium at the foot of the Col de Sarenne felt ordinary in the moment but go back to, say, February and it would have felt like a fever dream of a French fan. Two years ago in July he was doing the junior Ain Bugey Valromey Tour where four out of five stages were under 100km long. If you note the progress hes made in the last year and then think he can find a fraction more then, well you can see why Netcompany-Ineos are flirting with him and his agent and his current team are in the market for Ben OConnor, Laurens De Plus, Pavel Sivakov and others to build a project around him.Speed was a theme for an edition that set the record average speed of 43.227km/h. Sren Wrenskjolds sprint win in Nevers set a new stage record of 50.910km/h, breaking the record from 1999 which had enjoyed a tailwind, and more, while this time the wind barely below. The next day was almost as fast at 49km/h and the day after was ridden at 50km/h despite the Ballon dAlsace in the way; stage-winner Mauro Schmid fitted a 58T chainring, a set of wisdom teeth for the pace. Many times if the peloton was on flat road it was doing over 50km/h. But unlike previous editions there were few crashes and speed as a safety topic was not a big deal.One factor in the speed is having most of the top names in the action. Breakaway days dont see some wildcard riders go clear but you have Mathieu van der Poel, Mads Pedersen, Tom Pidcock and others making the moves. Some of the most entertaining stages were the mid-mountain days, like the stages to Ussel, Belfort and Voiron.The flipside to this exclusivity is the exclusion, the lack of opportunity. Wrenskjolds win was almost the revelation as, excepting Olav Kooij who has hardly raced this season, he was the lowest-ranked rider on the UCI rankings to win a stage; the average number of pro wins for a stage winner in the race was 69; boosted by Pogaar but without him the number is 50. This is a trend and so makes it hard for riders, and whole teams, to hope of a breakthrough win. The romance of sport needs to allow for this.Talking of droughts, this was a dry Tour, taking place across parched landscapes and not just the habitual southern transition stages. Luke Durbridge mentioned that many riders were complaining their shoes smelled from of pouring water over themselves all day but that was a small problem compared the public safety issue of crowds waiting hours in the heat and the outbreak of wildfires which required emergency services to be diverted from Tour duties. Environmental issues came closer to the Tour and the race will have to respond. Despite some polemical headlines, the organisers are conscious of this, current broadcast contracts stipulate timings so any move to a morning slot is off the question now but up for review later on.Another polemic saw anti-doping became a story but this time it was the testers who faced questions instead of the riders, in part because those tested shrugged balefully and got on with the racing even if sections of the media did not. Normally tests that return negative are never reported on but we have had press releases in the past on how the anti-doping procedures including a line that all tests came back negative.The final stage in Paris was a thriller, the Rue Lepic performing alchemy as the peloton went in together and out at the top came a golden selection each time with the last distillation giving us just Pogaar and Van der Poel. The longer approach to the finish heightened the drama with Pogaar grimacing, seemingly prepared to lose to Van der Poel as long as they could stay away. Freezing the times overall before the finish line feels wrong on sporting terms and if it did rain at lunchtime, most of the circuit had dried in time. For all its thrills even in the dry the circuit does have a frantic aspect coming off Montmartre.The VerdictStanding on the top step of the podium put Pogaar alongside Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain more than the two men flanking him on Sunday evening. He was unrivalled this year and if he took five stages he could easily have had more, possibly eight if his team had avoided illness.Evenepoel rode a measured race, his only temperamental expression was reserved for team mate Lipowitz. But how to win, or is a podium sufficient? Still 26 years old the answer might be wait but he saw a 22 year old Del Toro on the other step.Any suspense from the overall classification melted like an ice cream in Julys enduring heatwave but there was plenty left to enjoy, if Pogaar gobbled up riders like Pacman at times, the stage in the Vosges lively, the same for the Alpe dHuez finish. There was plenty going on among the other GC contenders, the race-without-Pogaar was lively.In 1930 the Giro organisers paid Alfredo Binda not to take part and as tempting as it be for fans to crowdfund a start fee for Pogaar to add next Julys Tour of Austria to his palmars, it would quickly leave many frustrated that the best rider was not there.On many other days the quality of the racing high and often action that began and the start and lasted to the finish line and there was satisfaction in seeing the subsidiary jersey contests all battling until the last weekend. And then there was Paris.Quand finit le Tour de France, jai une espce de dpression qui ne ncessite pas que jaille dans une zone de repos, mais je sens quil manque quelque chose : une grande partie de lenchantement paradisiaque de mon t vient de se terminer Salvador DaliThats Dali lamenting on the post-Tour blues. But he didnt have the Tour Femmes starting this weekend.The post The Moment The Tour de France Was Won first appeared on The Inner Ring.

And just like that, the Tour de France is over for another year. It's always a bit of a whirlwind three weeks so much pre-race anticipation, and a slow gathering of pace in the early days before, then just like that, we're congratulating the winner in Paris.This year, more than ever, it's been a case of 'blink and you'll miss it', because this 113th edition was the fastest ever. The peloton, or more accurately Tadej Pogaar, covered the 3,245km at a blistering average of 43.227kph (26.86mph). That's a whole half a kilometre per hour quicker (give or take a thousandth) than the previous record, which was set wait for it last year, by Tadej Pogaar.The overall race average is far from the only speed record set this year. Among the most memorable were Pogaar's toppling of Marco Pantani's 31-year-old mark for Alpe d'Huez, and his own (and Jonas Vingegaard's) time for the Col du Tourmalet rather newer, dating from 2023.Not all the records set involved the new five-time Tour champ, however, which is probably no bad thing. There was a new record for the fastest ever stage, for example, set on stage 11 from Vichy to Nevers. Sren Wrenskjold (Uno-X Mobility) romped home first at the head of a bunch sprint that day, recording an historic 50.91kph (31.62mph) average almost 0.6kph faster than the previous fastest, set in 1999.You might find, especially if you remember The Bad Old Days of the 90s and 2000s, that poring over this list of rising average speeds invokes multiple reactions. On the one hand you have wonderment, perhaps, over just how fast riders manage to travel, especially in the brutally hot conditions of this year's race. And wonderment at Pogaar's sheer supremacy. We are told regularly these days that we should cherish the privilege of being fans in the era of what might just be the best rider ever, and that advice shouldn't be scoffed at.However, thanks to a long list of disgraced riders and Tour results with names crossed out, bike racing in the 21st century now comes with a healthy dose of suspicion. You only have to look through the comments sections or social media to see it. No matter how stringent the testing policies and procedures, fans have simply had the rug pulled from underneath them too many times by dope cheats for this not to be the case.Journalists too, have been burned by the flames of historical doping revelations, accused of being naive at best, deceptive enablers at worst. But on this occasion I'll stick my neck out and say that I believe we have plenty of cause to be optimistic about the cleanliness of the modern pro peloton. I spoke to Pogaar's countryman Matej Mohori a couple of days before the Tour began, and he made an insightful point about how much difference better equipment has made in a few short years. Even in the last 15 years bikes and clothing have moved on significantly, with disc brakes allowing for faster, wider tyres, and more optimised rims, cables running internally on every bike, positions becoming more aero with narrower front ends and fabrics getting incrementally more aerodynamic every season.The riders are significantly more skilled too, Mohoric said, and the equipment significantly more capable at high speeds. He was talking about descending, but it spoke to a peloton that was slowly uncovering every trace of extra advantage, whether in equipment, nutrition, or recovery protocols.Development in on bike nutrition, tailored to each rider has been a key driver of performance gains in just the last two or three years. It wasn't long ago that riders would fuel themselves on 60g of carbohydrate per hour. Now they're consuming 120g or more. Rewind 10 years and a rider would have given themselves severe stomach issues trying to ingest this much. A rider's muscles having an almost limitless supply of fuel improves fatigue resistance, meaning speeds at the end of a long stage, or in the final week of a Grand Tour, no longer drop off. And it makes sense that the best riders and there always will be riders who are better, let's not kid ourselves that if everyone did everything perfectly they would all be equal will benefit a little bit more than the lesser ones, even if training, nutrition and recovery plans are optimised for each individual.Modern wearable tech also enables teams to focus not just on their riders' maximal physical capacities, but on their recovery too. Figures released by Whoop offer a startling insight into the quality of Pogaar's sleep during the Tour and ability to go again, day after day. His heart rate variability and recovery numbers show an elite ability to bounce back from physiological stress. His sleep is high quality too, with a score of 88% across the Tour. This means he was achieving 88% of the sleep his body needed something most of us would be pretty happy with any day of the week, let alone throughout one of the world's hardest endurance events.Finally, the race itself has changed with stage distances coming down. When Marco Pantani set his record up Alpe d'Huez in 1997 it was at the end of a 203.5km stage over several major passes. This year the stage was just 128km long with two minor climbs before Pogaar hit the Alpe.Bike racing in the 1990s now looks entirely archaic. Many riders back then trained and raced on feel; sports nutrition still meant a steak and rice for breakfast and the average road bike had the aerodynamic properties of a cement mixer compared to a modern machine. It's a wonder Pantani's record has stood so long not a wonder it has been beaten.So, there's every reason not to jump to the conclusion that faster means doped. A 100% clean pro peloton may be someway off an impossible dream, even. But when it comes to Pogaar, Vingegaard et all, until I see those red flags flying high I'll be keeping the faith and enjoying the era. And for cycling's sake, may I never be proven wrong.

Mathieu van der Poel fell to his knees and then his back as he left every ounce of effort for glory on the final stage of the 2026 Tour de France. Sprinting Tadej Pogacar off his wheel and outlasting the surging sprinters behind, van der Poel pulled off one of his most memorable wins on the biggest...

Can a trekking tent costing just 250 really keep up with the premium ultralight competition in the bikepacking world? The Decathlon SIMOND MT900 stands out from the rest of the test field with a price tag thats dramatically lower than all other competitors yet still manages to bring a few extra features to the table. Could this be the dependable companion for your next bikepacking adventure?We tested six of the most exciting bikepacking tents head-to-head in Frances Massif Central click here for our buying guide and a full overview of all bikepacking tents in the group test.Decathlon is one of Europes biggest names in affordable outdoor equipment, and its mountain-focused in-house brand SIMOND follows the same philosophy. While much of the established competition chases ever lighter materials and increasingly more sophisticated designs, the SIMOND MT900 takes a more straightforward approach. Function comes first, followed closely by weight and practicality. Price is where the MT900 makes its first statement. At around 250 in its two-person configuration, it undercuts most premium competitors by a wide margin. Yet on paper, it still offers many of the features you expect from a modern bikepacking shelter. Can this refreshingly uncomplicated tent challenge the established high-end players, or do significant compromises emerge once it leaves the spec sheet and enters the real world?SIMOND MT900 2P | 1,93 kg | 249,99 | Manufacturers Website SIMOND MT900 2P 249,99 Technical Data Weight (Complete) 1.93 kg (1.85 kg without bag)Packed Size approx. 40 x 14 cm x 14 cm (L x W x H)Pole Length (Packed) 39 cmInner Dimensions 200 x 105-120 x 105 cm (L x W x H)Intended Use 3-Season SIMOND MT900 2P. Construction Freestanding dome-style tentDoors & Vestibules 2 doors / 2 vestibulesHydrostatic Head (Floor / Flysheet) 3,000 mm / 2,000 mm (manufacturer specification)Footprint Included No (but separate vestibule floors included)Handlebar Mounting None (simple stuff sack with short straps) SIMOND MT900 on Review From Saddle to ShelterMaterials & SetupDuring the first setup on our test trip through the heart of France, it quickly became clear that a budget-friendly tent doesnt have to be a complex concept. This fully freestanding dome-style tent relies on a single, interconnected pole structure, which makes setup fast, intuitive and largely foolproof. Anyone who has ever wrestled with a stubborn tent in wind and rain will appreciate that.The thicker floor fabric immediately inspires confidence, while the somewhat coarse mesh panels inside the tent and the basic aluminium stakes reveal where SIMOND has chosen to save money. One distinctive feature is the completely black inner tent, which provides excellent privacy and creates a pleasantly dark atmosphere inside. The only real drawback during first impressions: our test sample initially emitted a fairly strong chemical plastic smell.Transport & MountingBecause the MT900 was never designed specifically for bikepacking, the stuff sack is fairly basic and doesnt include handlebar straps. Thanks to the short 39 cm pole segments, however, the packed tent can still be mounted in front of most handlebars using aftermarket straps. In combination with particularly narrow drop bars with less than 40 cm of clearance between the drops, you may have to find another place for the pole set. One major advantage in day-to-day use: packing the tent is refreshingly straightforward. Theres no need for careful folding or a precise packing sequence. In the morning, everything can simply be stuffed back into the generously sized bag and packed away within seconds.Et voil! With a little ingenuity, we managed to mount the SIMOND MT900 to the bike during testing.Unlike most bikepacking-specific tents, the MT900 doesnt have dedicated handlebar mounting straps. Youll need to add your own or store the tent inside a bikepacking bag.The generously sized stuff sack easily accommodates all tent components.Space & StorageAt 125 cm wide across the shoulder area and 105 cm at the foot end, the interior offers a decent amount of space, though it feels slightly narrow for two sleeping mats. The two generously-sized vestibules help make up for that limitation and add a surprising amount of usable storage space. A particularly practical feature are the two vestibule floors, which are included as standard. These create a protected area for luggage, keeping bags and gear out of mud and away from wet ground. Its a simple solution, but one that proved genuinely useful throughout our test rides. Storage inside the tent is more basic. Two pockets near the head area and two small ceiling pockets have to do the job, while a large overhead helmet net is nowhere to be found. Then again, this is still a trekking tent at heart rather than a bikepacking-specific shelter.Wet or muddy ground? No problem. Thanks to the included vestibule floors, luggage stays protected from moisture and dirt.Two 55 cm-wide sleeping mats just about fit inside the 120 cm-wide tent, which features generous mesh panels throughout the interior.Weather & VentilationVentilation is granted by two roof vents that remain effective even in wet weather, helping to reduce condensation without compromising weather protection. Airflow is further enhanced by the large mesh panels positioned between the raised bathtub floor and the flysheet. The result is excellent air circulation and effective moisture management. The trade-off? On colder, windier nights, the tent feels a little less sheltered than some of the more enclosed models in this test field.Who Should Take a Closer Look at the SIMOND MT900 2P?The MT900 is an excellent choice for bikepacking newbies, budget-conscious gravel adventurers and occasional campers looking for an affordable all-round solution for both cycling and hiking trips. Those who can happily skip the expensive ultralight hype and value straightforward functionality over premium branding or sophisticated bikepacking-specific packing systems will find a dependable companion with the MT900.ConclusionThe Decathlon SIMOND MT900 2P proves that a capable bikepacking tent doesnt have to blow the budget. This refreshingly no-nonsense shelter combines impressive stability with one of the smartest features in the entire test field: the included vestibule floors. The compromises are mostly limited to the short mounting straps and the less refined material selection. If youre willing to improvise with a few Voile straps on the handlebars, youll get a robust, weatherproof shelter with an outstanding price-to-performance ratio.TopsStrong value for moneyIncluded vestibule floorsFast, intuitive setupHassle-free packingFlopsTight interior width for two peopleStrong plastic smell when newFor more information, visit decathlon.com.The Test FieldThis tent was tested as part of our 2026 Bikepacking Tent Group Review.All Tents in the Review: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack | Decathlon / SIMOND MT900 | Hilleberg Unna | MSR Hubba Hubba Bikepack 2P | Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO 2P | VAUDE Space 2PDer Beitrag SIMOND MT9002P Can Bikepacking Be Both Affordable and Good? erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

When watching bike racing on television, getting dropped looks so straightforward. That moment when a rider loses contact with the back wheel in front of them, and a gap starts to open, then grows, then finally becomes an irretrievable gulf. Depending on who it happens to, either they vanish and are never seen again, or the coverage will linger on them cruelly. Whichever, the moment of fracture is clearly visible. The crisis in the mind of the rider, however, is not.Ive been dropped many times on several continents. Its never simple. When a gap opens, you know you need to close it immediately because every metre it grows means an exponential increase in the effort needed to close it. So, despite the fact youre at your limit already, you get out of the saddle and sprint. But the wheel in front gets no closer. You try to give even more although already you know there is no more. You hope and pray maybe the riders ahead will hesitate? But a terrible truth becomes apparent. You will not close the gap. In everyone elses reality, its just a few seconds. But its whole minutes if its you, whether youre slipping out of the front group in a World Tour race or trying to reel in a frisky club run.One question I always think about in these bleak moments is, what exactly is going wrong? Why cant I close the gap? Whats stopping me?There are a number of theories. The first is that it is just physiology. You just cant push any harder because something biochemical is stopping you lactate is the traditional enemy, and while its almost certainly not that, maybe its something like it. Youve smashed the glass for your only in emergencies energy supply, drained it, and its not enough. Your legs simply stop obeying commands.The next theory is that theres a circuit-breaker of some sort in your central nervous system. It decides that youve had enough, that the end of what you can safely attempt has arrived. Its not a conscious thought its like your heart beating, it just happens, because it has to.These are both good theories. I like them both. In the white-heat of failure I certainly like both of them more than I like theory three. Theory three is, put simply, that you just decide youve had enough. You are experiencing as much discomfort as youre prepared to live with, and you quit.I can deny it as hard as I like, but this is what it feels like to me. It boils down to whether the key moment is a realisation of bleak reality, or a conscious decision about what youre going to do. And I think its a decision.Its a decision that comes very hard on the heels of the first time the voice inside your head says, My goodness. This is hard. And gosh its uncomfortable. You know what would make this stop? Thats right you can make it go away I mean, how much is it really worth to you to hang on?More than once, Ive made the decision, then changed my mind and tried to chase, and failed again. Sometimes Ive persuaded myself that if I keep plugging away at my own pace, theyll have to slow down and gradually Ill reel them in again like the diesel I am. This has been known to work, but all it does is give me the opportunity to get dropped on the next hill instead.Most often Im just left alone with my regrets and the conviction that there was more in there if only Id had the bravery to dig for it. I dont think Ive ever once felt like I had given all there was. It greatly enhances the feeling of failure.It looks simple. It isnt.Great Inventions of Cycling - 1945The signpost sprint is exactly what it sounds like a sprint for a signpost. Normally a feature of an informal club run or reliability trial, they started to become an increasing feature of UK group rides after World War Two, as British riders discovered there were things in the world other than riding time trials and drinking tea.The signpost might be a village name sign, a speed limit sign, a caf 500 metres sign or essentially anything sticking out of a verge. Every group will have their own key sprints its never something as simple as every village. Some are deeply historic theres a chaingang in Yorkshire thats been sprinting for the same sign on the outskirts of Leeds since the 1950s.If youve never ridden with a particular group before, rest assured that you wont crack the algorithm for whats a sprint and whats not first, second or third time out. You will begin to suspect that they select whats a sprint and whats not based on whether youre positioned to get to it first. And that is probably exactly what theyre doing.Remember if you go for a sprint that, while considerable bragging rights attach to winning, you must remain casual about it. If you absolutely have to put your arms in the air, make sure you do so safely, and above all, ironically.Acts of Cycling StupidityI recently heard a rumour about a new variety of cheating, which I very much hope is true. Its probably limited to online racing, although Id enjoy watching someone attempt to use it in the real world. It concerns a UK-based rider who, having given up on more technological varieties of gaming his turbo trainer numbers, sought a more analogue method. He attached his tandem to the trainer, and got his 12-year-old son to ride stoker.Since he really only wants about an extra 30-40 watts most of the time (more would arouse suspicion), his son is usually happy to do it for 20 an hour, and he doesnt even need to set down his phone.If hes lucky his son wont think of putting the price up. Or just plain blackmailing him.