As the dust settles on another Grande Boucle, we flick through our favourite shots from the majestic peaks of the Alps to the cobbled streets of Paris

Former Giro dItalia stage winner Danilo Napolitano has been banned for 20 years after being found guilty of anti-doping rule violations in a case reported to involve a minor. The 45-year-old former sprinter was working as a directeur sportif at SALUS Ciclistica Seregno, one of Italys leading youth...

Maxxis has added the new Minion DHX to its gravity tyre range and introduced a new downhill casing developed to offer more support without sacrificing compliance over rough ground.The Minion DHX is aimed at dry-conditions downhill racing, bike-park use and aggressive eMTB riding. It launches alongside the updated casing, which will also feature across selected versions of the Minion DHR II, Assegai, High Roller III and Dissector.UK pricing is 79.99. Read more: Maxxis mountain bike tyres buyer's guide: deciphering the Maxxis XC, trail and enduro rangeWhat is the Maxxis Minion DHX? The DHXs reinforced shoulder knobs are designed to resist folding, while shallow sipes help the tread conform to the trail. Maxxis The DHX joins the long-running Minion family as a front or rear tyre for fast, high-load riding.Its tread uses reinforced shoulder knobs designed to resist folding at the base when the tyre is pushed hard through turns. Shallow sipes enable the tread surface to deform against the ground without taking too much support away from the knobs.Maxxis has also worked on the transition from the central tread to the shoulder blocks, aiming to give the DHX a more predictable feel as the bike leans over.The brand claims it offers similar rolling speed and braking performance to the Minion DHR II, but with more stability and cornering support. Maxxis athletes raced the Minion DHX throughout the 2025 season, with Jackson Goldstone using it to win the UCI Downhill World Championships in Champry, Switzerland. Maxxis Although it is only now being released to the public, the DHX has already seen major racing use. Maxxis says Jackson Goldstone rode it to victory at the 2025 World Championships in Champry and the Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup, while Luca Shaw won on it at Loudenvielle this year.The initial range includes 29x2.5in and 27.5x2.5in versions, using 3C MaxxGrip rubber. Both have a dual-ply 2x120 TPI construction, are tubeless-ready and carry an E50 rating.Claimed weights are 1,550g for the 29in tyre and 1,454g for the 27.5in version. MaxxTerra versions in both sizes are due in the third quarter of 2026.What has changed inside the casing? Maxxis new DH casing adds more sidewall reinforcement and a harder butyl insert. Maxxis Maxxis says the new construction has been in development for several years and was raced throughout the 2025 World Cup season by its supported teams.The new DH casing construction includes a harder butyl insert around the bead, new 120 TPI casing material replacing the current dual-ply 60 TPI material, added sidewall protection and a wider overlap extending towards the shoulder.The aim is to create what Maxxis calls progressive casing stiffness. The tyre should remain compliant over smaller rocks and roots, then provide more support as cornering and impact loads increase.According to Maxxis, the extra support enables riders to run around 2 to 3psi less pressure than with its previous DH casing. Lower pressure should help the tyre conform to uneven ground and slow its rebound after impacts, giving the bike a calmer feel through rough sections. Maxxis new DH casing was raced throughout the 2025 season before its public release, with prototype tyres identified by Test Pilot and New DH sidewall markings. Maxxis The brand also claims improved protection against punctures and pinch flats, while keeping weight close to the outgoing construction.In Maxxis own lab testing on a 29x2.4in Minion DHR II, the new casing produced 20 per cent more cornering support, 24 per cent better sidewall puncture resistance and 28 per cent improvements in both tread-puncture and pinch-flat resistance.Which tyres get the new casing?The first wave includes MaxxGrip versions of the Minion DHX, DHR II, Assegai and High Roller III. MaxxTerra DHR II options are also listed, with more MaxxTerra models, additional Assegai sizes and a 27.5x2.4in Dissector expected later in 2026.Tyres using the new construction will carry a New DH casing decal on the packaging and a matching badge on the sidewall.

Mixing an electrolyte drink had become a firm part of my morning routine. The moment I was downstairs, Id be reaching for a snazzily branded sachet. It didnt matter what workout I had planned Id always find an excuse to accessorise my water. I must have tried every brand and flavour on the market, easily attracted by slick packaging and a novel taste, rarely glancing at the actual ingredients. But then I began to ponder the extra sodium I was consuming, which ranged from 300mg per sachet to a massive 1,000mg hit. That 1,000mg is a whole gram of pure sodium which is where the maths gets alarming. Because salt is only about 40% sodium, you have to multiply any sodium figure by 2.5 to find the true salt equivalent. Suddenly, that 1g of sodium becomes 2.5g of salt. Drinking just two of those heavy duty sachets meant I was downing 5g of salt dangerously close to the NHS daily maximum of 6g, before Id even eaten a meal. While sodium is the main electrolyte lost in sweat, these numbers made me question my habit. Was this actually supporting my training and health, or was I just heavily salting my water to make it more interesting? Drinking just two of those heavy duty sachets meant I was downing 5g of salt dangerously close to the NHS daily maximum of 6g, before Id even eaten a meal. That question led me to look at salt intake more broadly. A recent study by the British Heart Foundation found that the average Brit consumes the equivalent salt found in 155 packets of crisps each week around 8.4g per day, roughly 40% more than the advised limit. Consuming too much salt carries risks but more on that later. First, where do electrolytes fit into that picture? Do we really need them day to day, or are they better reserved for very long rides in hot weather? What are electrolytes?For riders tackling the worlds biggest races, carefully managing fluid and sodium losses is critical (Image credit: Getty Images)Electrolytes sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium are essential minerals the body needs to function properly. They play vital roles in maintaining fluid balance, transmitting nerve signals, enabling muscle contractions, and balancing blood pH. When we exercise, the body cools itself by sweating, and because sweat is derived from your blood plasma and extracellular fluid, it contains dissolved minerals predominantly sodium. But to what extent do we need to replace the electrolytes we sweat out? As a sports nutritionist for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Will Girling works with riders tackling the worlds biggest races, including the Tour de France, where carefully managing fluid and sodium losses over long, hot stages is critical. Failing to replace such losses could cause serious problems. At its most extreme, said Girling, that could include hyponatraemia [low blood sodium levels, below the normal range of around 135-145 mmol/L]. More commonly, you might experience dehydration, headaches, nausea and a reduced ability to exercise. But what about for recreational cyclists do we need to take similar precautions? Electrolytes dont directly hydrate you, but they help your body retain and use the fluid you drink more effectively. This distinction is widely misunderstood, reckons Dr Lewis James from Loughborough University. People mistakenly think that by having an electrolyte product, theyre getting better hydration, so they dont focus on the thing that matters most fluid intake, he said. The electrolyte content wont magically make them more hydrated, not unless they are also drinking the correct amount of water they need. According to the experts, electrolyte use is considered most useful during sustained exercise lasting longer than 60 minutes, in hot environments, or for individuals who consistently lose relatively high amounts of sodium in their sweat, often indicated by signs such as white salt marks on clothing or sweat that stings the eyes. Electrolytes drive hydration through a process called osmosis. In simple terms, water naturally moves toward areas with a higher concentration of sodium to balance things out. Because water always follows sodium, higher sodium levels essentially prompt the body to hold on to more fluid. Electrolytes assist water absorption and retention, so anything you drink can contribute more readily to the body water pool if electrolytes are present, explained Professor Stuart Galloway from the University of Stirling. Much of the time, we replenish electrolytes naturally through the foods we eat day to day: sodium from salt, potassium from bananas and potatoes, and magnesium from nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. During prolonged or very intense exercise, however, particularly in hot conditions, supplementation can offer a convenient way to replace whats lost through sweat. Whats inside the sachets? There's an array of products on the market (Image credit: Future)Brands selling electrolytes are becoming increasingly visible, with the global electrolyte powder market alone expected to exceed $700m (530m) within the next four years. Ingredient lists vary significantly between brands, but sodium is usually the primary ingredient, alongside potassium, magnesium and calcium. Many products also go beyond basic electrolytes. Some include carbohydrates to provide a quick energy source, while others also contain caffeine, amino acids, or performance blends designed to boost alertness or gut health. Flavourings, sweeteners such as stevia or sucralose, and anti-caking agents are also commonly used to improve taste and shelf stability. The language used to market these products makes big, often vague promises. Some brands position electrolytes as an everyday essential, even those with up to 1,000mg of sodium, claiming benefits such as improved energy, enhanced performance, sharper focus and reduced fatigue. As a result, the lines between evidence-based sports nutrition and more questionable wellness fads have become increasingly blurred. DIY it at homeWant to ditch the expensive sports drinks? Dr Carrie Ruxtons DIY alternative takes seconds to mix and costs mere pennies. To make 500ml, mix the following ingredients: 150200ml 100% orange juice300350ml water1 sachet of oral rehydration salts (like Dioralyte or a generic supermarket brand) for hot weather or sweat- heavy sessions.Want an even cheaper fix? Swapping the sachet for a single gram of standard table salt provides about 400mg of sodium for next to nothing.Do we need them, and if so, when? Known heavy sweaters may need to take on more (Image credit: Future)With electrolyte powders and tablets now regular fixtures in the supermarket, it would be easy to assume theyre an essential part of every riders training routine. But for most cyclists, the reality is more nuanced. Theres salt everywhere in all of our diets, James said. Most of us get a lot more than we need on a daily basis, so I would question whether its needed for someone who is recreationally active and mainly exercising for health purposes or enjoyment. Girling echoed this view, adding that for exercise lasting less than two hours, hydrating beforehand and drinking to thirst during is generally sufficient, unless conditions are very hot or sweat sodium losses are unusually high. In these situations, consuming an electrolyte drink before exercise may help support fluid balance from the outset. If exercise is prolonged over two hours you probably want to be considering it [electrolytes], Girling added, recommending cyclists also check the sodium content of their gels and carbohydrate drinks. However, many factors influence electrolyte requirements. Galloway points out that theres no one-size fits-all approach. It depends on how long the ride is going to be, what the conditions are like, what else the rider might be eating or drinking during that ride, and individual differences, he said. The demands of a steady cafe ride in spring are very different from those of a four-hour ride or race at the height of summer. For James, the conversation changes when riders are training at a high level, completing multiple sessions a day, or preparing for events in hot environments. In these situations, sodium losses through sweat may exceed dietary intake, potentially affecting both performance and recovery. For recreational cyclists, electrolyte supplementation becomes useful during back-to-back training days in hot weather or on longer, more demanding sessions where sweat losses are higher. The estimated average sweat sodium loss is between 800 and 950mg per litre of sweat, although this varies considerably between individuals owing to genetics and heat adaptation, with reported values ranging from around 200mg to 2,000mg per litre. While sweat sodium tests are available at a cost, most sports nutritionists consider them an unnecessary expense for everyday riders. Instead, simple observation is usually enough: riders who notice white marks on their kit after a ride correctly infer that they have lost significant amounts of sodium. Sodium is the primary electrolyte lost in sweat, so that should be the main focus. James explained that, while other electrolytes (potassium, magnesium, and calcium) are essential for normal bodily function, there is limited evidence that supplementing them during exercise provides additional benefits. The consensus among the experts we consulted was that hydration strategies can be simple and cheap. The body doesnt distinguish the sodium in table salt from the sodium in a supplement. One gram of salt contains around 400mg of sodium, Girling pointed out, suggesting that you dont necessarily need to spend money on sachets and tablets. Across the board, the experts suggested that performance generally begins to decline once dehydration exceeds 2% of body weight, meaning mild dehydration during shorter or lower-intensity rides is usually well tolerated by the body. As you go beyond 2% dehydration, you may begin to experience brain fog, lose concentration, feel greater fatigue and youll start to heat up, as youve less fluid to keep your temperature down, said Dr Carrie Ruxton, dietitian and co founder of Salt St Andrews gym. To estimate your own fluid losses, weigh yourself before and after a ride. As a guide, a 70kg rider who loses 2% of their body weight, or 1.4kg, during a ride will have lost around 1.4 litres of fluid. How quickly you reach this level of dehydration depends on your sweat rate, which varies depending on temperature, intensity, and individual physiology. Can you have too many electrolytes? The weather, the length and intensity of your ride are all factors (Image credit: Future)Supplementing with electrolytes may be useful for riders covering long distances in very warm weather, but if youre regularly emptying sachets into your water, can you have too much of a good thing? It will all come down to salt balance over the day, James said. If theyre consuming too much salt, then there could be negative effects. One of the biggest concerns around electrolyte products is excessive sodium intake. Too much salt over time has been linked to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. For those who already have high blood pressure, Ruxton stressed the importance of monitoring the combined sodium intake from food or supplements. The experts consulted all agreed that healthy, active individuals are unlikely to run into problems from occasional electrolyte use around training. Generally, if youre young and active anyway, with a healthy balanced diet, your body is good at sorting out how much salt and how much other electrolytes it needs, said Galloway. We excrete the excess and retain what we need. More immediate issues tend to come from overuse during exercise. According to Girling, excessively concentrated drinks can contribute to gastrointestinal distress and may even slow carbohydrate absorption, potentially impacting performance. Higher sodium intake can also lead to short-term fluid retention, showing up as slight weight fluctuations or a bloated feeling after use. Thats only important if youre doing an activity or racing where its important not to gain weight the next day, Girling said. Ultimately, electrolytes are best viewed as a tool rather than a daily necessity useful in the right conditions, but otherwise pointless. As Ruxton pointed out, electrolytes should be treated similarly to energy gels used strategically. Its about using these things in a planned way and doing the planning when youre training, she said. Instead of reaching for an electrolyte sachet first thing in the morning, Ill be taking a more mindful approach. For most of us, especially those training in cooler climates like the UK, electrolyte supplements arent a daily necessity. They have their place particularly during longer rides, in the heat, or when sweat losses are high but otherwise, most of us are likely to maintain electrolyte balance through our normal diet. Since writing this article, Ive already kicked my electrolyte habit, and instead Im paying closer attention to the amount of salt in my diet, which thankfully appears to be relatively low. For now, the sachets will stay in the cupboard until I really need them. How much should we aim to consume? White marks left on clothing may be a sign you're a salty sweater (Image credit: Lisa Charlebois)Lisa Charlebois spoke to a range of experts in search of a baseline intake suggestion. Dr. Cristhian Montenegro PhD in human bioenergetics, with a focus on cardiovascular and muscle physiology argues the baseline sodium question is more nuanced than nutrition labels suggest."Sodium for cyclists during exercise is tied to the amount of water they are looking to retain or replace," he says. Sodium and carbohydrates like glucose and sucrose all help with the retention of water, so the amount of sodium supplementation will not only depend on water intake but also the total other water-retaining sugars in drink mix or gels. In short, up to 500mg is a good baseline range if youre drinking one 500ml bottle per hour."Generally, 500 to 1,000mg of sodium per hour is justified for performance-oriented hard efforts, as long as it is ingested correctly and for the right reasons, essentially with water, for water replenishment," he says. "If it is hot and an athlete is working hard and generating metabolic heat, total sodium consumption may be even higher."However, he draws a sharp line between the elite athletes and the everyday rider. "As with most things marketed using professional athletes, us mere mortals will get by with much less, especially on moderate intensity rides."Andrea Rumschlag, a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, cites the general guideline of 300 to 600mg per hour. "I always like to remind athletes (or any consumer for that matter) to consider who is selling you something," she says. "Higher levels of sodium are typically needed for moderately intense activity exceeding two to eight or more hours. Otherwise, the average sweater doing one to two hours may be just fine with a sports drink, water, and a salty snack post-ride."Frank Overton, founder of FasCat Coaching, with a Masters in Physiology and a USA Cycling Level 1 accreditation, puts it plainly: "Sodium loss varies wildly between people, roughly anywhere from 100 to 2,000mg per hour. That's why a one-size-fits-all 1,000mg product is ideal for some riders and overkill for others. The answer is genuinely individual."The general consensus was that, for rides under two hours in cool conditions, water and food will work well. Rides from two to four hours, electrolytes in the 300 to 500mg range are reasonable. For rides over four hours, in heat, or for known heavy sweaters, higher sodium supplementation may be genuinely beneficial.Sweat tests are available for those who really want to know if theyre losing more or less sodium than the average rider through sweat. Lindsey Hunt, MSc, PhD and Senior Sports Scientist at Precision Hydration, which offers the testing and tailored electrolyte drinks, told us: Sweat rate you can train and measure. But how much sodium you lose in that sweat is largely down to your genes, and it barely shifts with fitness or acclimatisation. We see people losing anywhere from around 200mg of sodium per litre of sweat to over 2,000mg that's a tenfold difference between two riders who look identical on paper. So if you're a salty sweater doing long, hot rides, generic advice can leave you a long way short without you ever knowing why.

In this unique edition of Riders Lens, we present a blend of images and illustrations from mountain guide, photographer, and filmmaker Sergi Ricarts 9,000-kilometer solo bikepacking journey along the Andes Mountains. Spanning the Caribbean to Tierra del Fuego in Patagonia, discover a selection of Sergis work from remote 5,000-meter peaks and isolated dirt roads throughout the continent hereThe post Riders Lens: Sergi Ricarts Creative Andean Journey appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Roxanne Bertels has shared an emotional message to Mathieu van der Poel after his spectacular end to the Tour de France, revealing the quality she most hopes their daughter inherits from the Dutchman. Van der Poel and Bertels announced shortly before the Tour that they are expecting their first chil...

Tadej Pogaar won the 2026 Tour de France riding a Colango Y1Rs, a cutting-edge aero race bike with all the usual trimmings lightweight carbon layup, progressive aerodynamics, a modern geometry, plus the kind of rarified finishing kit we mere mortals can only dream of.Of course, transplant this statement to 2016, when it would have been Chris Froome's Pinarello Dogma F8 we'd have been raving about, and we'd probably be writing much the same thing. But how much has a decade of bike development changed these bikes? Is there really a yawning chasm between Pogaar's bike of today and Froome's racer from 10 years ago?In a special edition of the BikeRadar Podcast, Simon von Bromley and Warren Rossiter sit down to discuss the differences (and similarities) between the two bikes, then decide whether they'd prefer to ride Pogaar's Y1Rs, or Froome's Dogma F8.

Paul Seixas left his first Tour de France with fourth place overall, six top-five stage finishes and one of the most remarkable teenage performances in the races history. For Lilian Calmejane, the scale of that achievement also brought cause for concern. The former Tour stage winner fears the commi...

Celebrity-owned bikes come up for sale every so often, but few have as much evidence to prove their history as this vintage Condor Baracchi, which is said to have been owned and ridden by Mick Jagger.The vintage road bike has been listed on eBay with an asking price of 25,000 (approximately 21,416 or $28,460).That might sound like a lot for an old steel road bike, but this isn't just any vintage Condor.Alongside the bike, the seller has included a letter on official Rolling Stones headed paper, signed by Stones employee Alan Dunn and addressed to Condor Cycles owner Monty Young. The note was written by Alan Dunn,one of the longest-serving Stones employees. Ebay In it, The Rolling Stones thank Young for his support and say the group has "no hesitation" in calling Condor Cycles the "unofficial supplier of bicycles and components to The Rolling Stones".The listing also includes archival video of Jagger riding the bike, providing buyers with another piece of evidence that it was indeed part of the Dartford-born singer's collection.A bike with rock 'n' roll history Mick Jagger's name appears on the top tube. Ebay The sale highlights the long relationship between Condor Cycles and The Rolling Stones.Monty Young built bikes for Jagger and other members of the band over a number of years, with Condor becoming an unofficial supplier to the group.While Jagger isn't known as a cycling obsessive, unlike Eric Clapton, riding has long been part of his fitness routine.He has often been photographed on bikes while on tour and has regularly used cycling to help stay fit for the demands of performing live.Is it worth 25,000? The bike's drivetrain features a blend of Campagnolo and Shimano parts, with the rear derailleur not looking original. Ebay You could buy a couple of top-end modern WorldTour road bikes for the same money as this Condor, with arguably more iconic classic bikes, such as the Colnago C35 Hors Ligne collaboration with Ferrari, priced in the same ballpark. This photo of Mick Jagger checking out the bike is also included in the listing. Ebay In this case, the value comes from the story behind the bike and its connection to one of the world's biggest rock bands.Whether that leaves the next owner with Satisfaction is another question, but if you're looking for a unique piece of cycling and music history, this one could be hard to beat.

Markel Beloki claimed the second professional victory of his career with a commanding solo performance on Stage 2 of the 2026 Tour de lAin. The 21-year-old EF Education-EasyPost rider attacked from the leading group with 9.5 kilometres remaining and quickly opened a decisive advantage on the run in...